Tajikistan faces rising food imports as domestic harvests decline

Tajikistan is facing increased food import dependency due to declining domestic agricultural production. In the first half of 2026, wheat imports rose by 7.7% to 660,800 metric tons, valued at approximately $171 million. This increase follows a 13.3% year-on-year drop in domestic wheat production. Kazakhstan remains the sole supplier of the country's imported wheat.

The agricultural sector is also seeing a decline in fruit production. During the first half of 2026, fruit harvests fell by 13.1% compared to the previous year, with apricot production specifically dropping by 48,600 tonnes due to spring frosts and heavy rains. These shortages, combined with a 20.6% increase in diesel fuel costs affecting transport, have kept fruit prices high.

To compensate for domestic shortages, Tajikistan imported 79,100 tonnes of fresh fruit, berries, and melons worth $55.5 million. Major suppliers for these imports include Pakistan, China, Ecuador, Iran, and Afghanistan.