Potato market in Tajikistan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the potato market volume in Tajikistan remained stable at around 997-998 thousand tons, reflecting the consistent structure dominated by small household plots. In 2020, volume increased to 1 039 thousand tons, a period during which the COVID-19 pandemic affected logistics and distribution channels across the sector.

Market expansion continued through 2021 and 2022, with volumes reaching 1 051 and 1 098 thousand tons respectively. This growth was supported by regional trade activity, including potato exports from Kazakhstan to Tajikistan, which contributed to meeting domestic demand.

A significant acceleration occurred in 2023, when the market volume rose to 1 192 thousand tons. This jump was directly driven by a government program launched that year aiming to boost annual potato production above one million tons, which stimulated output and enlarged the overall market.

Production potato in Tajikistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Tajikistan's potato production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 022 thousand tons of potatoes, marking a 2.7% year-over-year growth. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 30.5%, which translates to an average annual increase of 9.3%.

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

Exports potato from Tajikistan

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed period. Import levels fluctuated dramatically, with a 38-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2019, Tajikistan exported 26 tons of potatoes, representing a sharp 49.2% increase compared to 2018. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 97.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan together accounted for 90.9% of Tajikistan's total potato exports in kind, with the remaining exports distributed across other markets.

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

The market experienced notable volatility over this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 7.1-fold gap between these years. In 2019, Tajikistan's potato exports amounted to 15 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp year-over-year increase of 86.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 8 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 86.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan (44.9% of exports in value terms), Uzbekistan (31.7%), and Kazakhstan (23.5%) consistently held the top positions in Tajikistan's export structure by value, collectively accounting for 100.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports potato to Tajikistan

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes varied 8.8 times from the high in 2018 to the low in 2019. In 2020, Tajikistan's potato imports totaled 17 952 tons, representing a 388.8% increase compared to 2019. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 672 tons, while the maximum was in 2018 at 32 184 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 88.6% drop.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Pakistan dominated Tajikistan's potato imports in kind, accounting for 79.1% of total flows, while other destinations contributed relatively small shares.

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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes varied 8.8 times from the high in 2020 to the low in 2019. In 2020, Tajikistan's potato imports amounted to 4 057 thousand US dollars, constituting a 778.9% increase over the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 462 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 88.2%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Pakistan and Russia consistently accounted for 82.2% of Tajikistan's total potato imports in value terms, indicating a high degree of concentration, with a long tail of smaller markets making up the remainder.

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

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