Frozen vegetables market in Tajikistan

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen vegetables market in Tajikistan contracted sharply in 2019, with volume falling to 500 t from 615 t the previous year. This decline coincided with sustained price increases for fresh vegetables, which pressured consumer demand for frozen alternatives. Although the opening of Auchan-Bi1 hypermarkets in Dushanbe expanded retail access, the overall market volume shrank as household spending adjusted.

The COVID-19 pandemic reversed the trend in 2020, as logistics constraints for fresh vegetables boosted demand for frozen products, lifting market volume to 521 t. In subsequent years, the gradual recovery of the foodservice sector and regional vegetable export agreements helped sustain demand, with market volume fluctuating near 530 t through 2022.

By 2023, market volume rose to 544 t, supported by higher imports. That year saw the launch of the country's first industrial deep-freezing line for fruits and vegetables, marking a significant expansion of local production capacity. New food safety and labeling regulations, introduced in 2023 and extended into 2024, began shaping the market's regulatory environment.

Production frozen vegetables in Tajikistan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

Tajikistan's frozen vegetable production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 481.5 t of frozen vegetables, marking a slight year-on-year decrease of 0.9%. Production fell by 15% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 5.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 599.8 t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 19.0% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 with a 5.9% rise.

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

Exports frozen vegetables from Tajikistan

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. From 2017 to 2019, exports varied dramatically, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 14.7 times. In 2020, Tajikistan exported 20 260 kg of frozen vegetables, representing a sharp 27.7% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 28 006 kg. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018 with a 308.5% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tajikistan in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia and Afghanistan were the leading destinations for Tajikistan's frozen vegetable exports in volume terms, together accounting for 84.5% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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, $ US

Tajikistan's frozen vegetable exports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported $45 245 worth of frozen vegetables, showing a 2.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 3 393.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 226.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the primary buyer of frozen vegetables from Tajikistan in value terms, capturing 71.6% of total exports. Other trading partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables to Tajikistan

Imports in kind, kg

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports fluctuated significantly, with a 2.6-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Tajikistan imported 59 786 kg of frozen vegetables, indicating a dramatic 40.6% increase compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 23 256 kg. The most notable decline occurred in 2018 with a 40.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with an 82.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tajikistan in kind, 2017-2020, kg

During 2017–2020, Russia and Turkey dominated Tajikistan's frozen vegetable imports in volume terms, together representing 83.9% of total imports. The remainder was thinly spread across other markets.

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, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Import values varied 2.9 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Tajikistan's frozen vegetable imports amounted to $63 108, marking a 24.4% gain from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at $21 927. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 59.9% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 131.3% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Turkey remained the main suppliers of frozen vegetables to Tajikistan in value terms, with a combined share of 81.3% of total imports. The rest was fragmented across other countries.

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

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