The price of dried apricots in the markets of Sughd region has decreased by ten times compared to previous years.
The price of dried apricots in the markets of Sughd region has decreased several times compared to previous years.
Some traders buy dried apricots from farmers to store for next year.
Boltuboy Hoshimov, a businessman from Sughd region, says, “the price of one kilogram of dried apricots has increased from 2 to 8-10 somoni, which is not a high price, and in previous years it was sold for more than 10 somoni.”
The department of the Statistical Committee of Tajikistan in Sughd region has calculated that 157 thousand 186 tons of dried apricots are stored in the north of the country this year, which is almost three times more than last year.
Farmers in the Sughd region did not get a good harvest of apricots for three years, as during the peak of blossoming, the seeds were frostbitten. In particular, last year it suddenly snowed when the trees were blooming. This year, the weather was hot, and the gardeners hoped to make up for the loss of several years with a good harvest. However, on the one hand, the large harvest brought down the domestic prices, and on the other hand, the closure of the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan weakened the market.
Akram Mahmudov, a businessman in Sughd region, says that this year was a different year for farmers in all regions of Tajikistan. “Many times the harvest was in the south, but not in the north. Or it was in the north, it was not harvested in the Zarafshan valley. Or it was not harvested in the Pamirs. The balance was always maintained. Due to the fact that this product was produced in all of Tajikistan this year, the price went down. “– he said.
Farmers say that they work hard and spend more to harvest, but they get less profit. Mavluda Ghaniyeva, a resident of Sughd region, works as a farmer with her family and makes a living from apricots and other fruits every year. Although he did not see much profit from the harvest, he is not dissatisfied. “Even if it is not much, there is less benefit. For this, thank God. Life is passing,” he said.
For those whose main source of income is drying and selling apricots, they are not disappointed and are waiting for the improvement of the situation in the market.
Merchants and farmers are not in a hurry to sell all their crops at a cheap price. They hope that the price will definitely rise.
“Farmers keep the products for one or two years, saying that they will not suffer any loss. Then they sell them. A person never works at a loss. If you look, this year’s products of the farmers are not commensurate with their efforts. Because one worker’s day at the time of harvesting was 70 somoni. “– said Akram Mahmudov, a businessman from Sughd region.
There are more than 50,000 hectares of apricot orchards in Sughd region. These lands are located in Isfara, Konibodom, Asht, Babajon Gafurov and Mastchoh regions. According to the information of Horticulture and Viticulture Institute, more than one hundred types of apricots are grown in Tajikistan, but the country mainly cultivates about 20 varieties. About 10 varieties are exported in large quantities, as these varieties meet international standards.
Source : Радио Озоди