Dried shelled lentils market in Tajikistan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled lentils in Tajikistan experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Volume surged by 27% to 3,070 t in 2020, largely driven by a spike in imports, which more than doubled from the previous year. This expansion coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global trade patterns and heightened demand for staple, long-shelf-life foods like lentils.

The market contracted sharply in 2021, with total volume falling by 54% to 1,408 t as imports plummeted by over 80%, likely reflecting a post-pandemic adjustment in supply chains and inventories. A partial recovery followed in 2022, with volume rising to 2,236 t, supported by renewed import growth amidst regional trade dynamics, including export quotas on lentils from neighboring Kazakhstan that may have prompted sourcing from alternative suppliers.

By 2023, the market stabilized at around 2,000 t, with domestic production remaining steady near 1,000 t annually. This period saw Tajikistan's strong economic growth, which supported agricultural development, and increased lentil exports from Russia, influencing regional availability. In 2024, the government adopted a new Food Security Program for 2024-2028, aiming to strengthen the domestic food sector, which could shape future market conditions.

Production dried shelled lentils in Tajikistan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

Tajikistan's production of dried shelled lentils has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 977 tons, marking a modest decrease of 3.4% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 1 068 tons, which represented an 18.1% increase that year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Tajikistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled lentils from Tajikistan

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, Tajikistan exported 1 ton of dried shelled lentils, a sharp increase of 205.1% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tajikistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the export market was highly concentrated, with Kazakhstan accounting for 100.0% of all exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Tajikistan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Tajikistan's exports of dried shelled lentils amounted to 0.2 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a sharp rise of 421.1% year-over-year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tajikistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Kazakhstan dominated the export structure in value terms, consistently representing 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Tajikistan in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled lentils to Tajikistan

Imports in kind, t

Tajikistan's imports of dried shelled lentils have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 2 093 tons, reflecting a significant 48.8% uptick from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 64.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tajikistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was the primary source for imports in volume terms, holding a 76.8% share of total flows, while the remaining volume was distributed among numerous other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Tajikistan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Tajikistan's imports of dried shelled lentils in value terms have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 539.3 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic increase of 66.1% compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 5.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 323.6 thousand US dollars, when imports fell by 43.6%, marking the largest decline during this period.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tajikistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the main destination for imports in value terms, accounting for 80.7% of total flows, with the rest spread across various smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Tajikistan in value, 2017-2020