The export of Tajik goods and products for the first seven months of 2023 decreased by 43.6% compared to the same period in 2022, Asiaplus reports, citing the statistical agency of Tajikistan.
During January-July, Tajikistan exported goods and products amounting to $767 million, which is $592 million less than the same period in 2022.
The decline in exports is primarily attributed to the reduction in the sale of precious and semi-precious metals and stones. The sales of this category dropped from $415 million in January-July of the previous year to $649 thousand in the current year.
A significant impact on the reduction of exports was also caused by the decrease in the sale of non-precious metals and products made from them (primary aluminum and its products) – from $205 million to $172 million.
Tajikistan also significantly reduced the export of cotton fiber, which is considered one of its two main export commodities, from $133 million to $80 million.
The export of mineral products (electricity, cement, ores and concentrates, coal, and others) decreased by $138 million, and the export of plant-based products (fruits, vegetables, melons, and others) decreased by $7 million.
Tajikistan's main export partners for the first seven months of the current year were Kazakhstan – 22.6% (of the total volume of goods exports), China – 20.9%, Turkey – 12.4%, Russia – 11.7%, and Uzbekistan – 11.2%.
On the contrary, the import of goods increased by 16% – from $2.8 billion to $3.2 billion.
The main commodity groups in the country's import structure were mineral products (petroleum products, liquefied gas, coal, and others) – 17.1%, machinery and equipment – 13.7%, non-precious metals and products made from them – 10%.
The main suppliers of goods and products to the republic remain Russia (28.2%), China (20.6%), and Kazakhstan (14.7%).
Overall, Tajikistan's foreign trade turnover for the first seven months of this year amounted to about $4 billion, which is 3.5% (or $146 million) less compared to the same period in 2022. During this period, the country had trade relations with 111 countries worldwide.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 25, 2023