In the first 10 months of 2024, Tajikistan imported over 1 million tons of grain from Kazakhstan, an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. This information comes from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture, reports Asiaplus.tj.
Kazakhstan remains the primary grain supplier for Tajikistan. From January to October 2024, the supply volume reached 1.02 million tons, compared to 917,100 tons during the same period in 2023.
Tajikistan’s Ministry of Agriculture attributes the growth to increased demand for high-quality food grain and successful cooperation between the two countries.
From September to December, the volume of new harvest grain delivered to Tajikistan grew by 51%, reaching 489,000 tons. Kazakh companies, including JSC "NC Food Corporation," actively promote export strategies, ensuring a steady supply of grain to the Tajik market. This corporation sent the first 20,000 tons of food-grade wheat from the new harvest to Tajikistan.
In August 2024, during the official visit of Kazakhstan's President to Dushanbe, agreements were reached for additional deliveries of 100,000 tons of new harvest wheat. Kazakh grain is traditionally used for both domestic consumption and export processing, playing a vital role in Tajikistan’s economy.
The increase in supply volumes strengthens the country's food security and underscores Kazakhstan’s strategic importance as a key partner for Tajikistan.
The import of Kazakh grain not only fortifies the partnership between the two countries but also creates a platform for Tajikistan’s economic growth. Balancing external supplies with the development of its own agriculture will be crucial for the long-term sustainability of the country’s food market.
Price stability in the grain market and food availability remain top priorities for the Tajik government. In this context, cooperation with Kazakhstan provides the republic with a reliable platform to address current challenges, including global grain price fluctuations and climate change.
Tajikistan must find a balance between grain imports and the development of its agro-industrial complex to ensure a stable future amid a shifting global economy.
Tajikistan's annual wheat demand exceeds 2 million tons. Nearly half of this demand is met through domestic production, with an average wheat harvest of about 1 million tons. Due to population growth, Tajikistan plans to increase wheat imports to 1.285 million tons annually while boosting domestic production to 1.032 million tons.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
December 18, 2024