Strawberries market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, strawberry production in Central Asia rose sharply from 14 060 t to 22 327 t, while the market volume grew from 14 273 t to 22 197 t. This expansion coincided with the adoption of a green economy concept in Kyrgyzstan, where state programs promoting sustainable development and ecological practices stimulated agricultural output, including strawberries.

After peaking in 2020, production and market volume dipped in 2021, a shift that occurred alongside the revision of green economy policies, including the cancellation of the initial 2019–2023 program. However, from 2021 onward, a detailed implementation plan and indicator matrix were established for a long-term program extending to 2029. In 2022, a new green economy program for 2025–2029 was approved, emphasizing the introduction of clean technologies, energy savings, and attracting green investments, which supported a recovery in production to 21 173 t and market volume to 22 607 t by 2023.

Throughout the period, green economy factors such as institutional strengthening, meetings with international partners, and a focus on climate change continued to shape the market, underpinning a trend toward more sustainable strawberry cultivation. Efforts in energy efficiency and clean technology application remained active into 2024, indicating ongoing policy support for the sector.

Production strawberries in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

Central Asia's strawberry production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 22 327 tonnes of strawberries, marking a significant year-on-year improvement of 39.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 23.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 14 060 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 22.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports strawberries from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

Foreign strawberry supplies from Central Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Central Asia exported 347 tonnes of strawberries, up by 26.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 231.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 49.1%.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, Russia was the main partner for exports in kind, accounting for 24.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 143 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 1 753 thousand US dollars, representing a 12.3-fold difference. In 2020, Central Asia's strawberry exports amounted to 630 thousand US dollars, a steep decline of 64.1% from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1,129.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia led as the top buyer of strawberries from Central Asia in value terms, accounting for 10.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports strawberries to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Central Asia's strawberry import volume declined. In 2020, the region imported 217 tonnes of strawberries, down by 42.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 14.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 379 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 30.1%.

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

An analysis of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Turkey (15.0% of imports in kind), China (5.0%), and the Netherlands (4.1%) together accounted for only 24.0% of total flows, with the remaining 76.0% attributed to other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year improvement, Central Asia's volume of strawberry imports declined. In 2020, the region imported a total of 1 183 thousand US dollars worth of strawberries, representing a solid decline of 20.6% over the past year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 183 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 23.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (31.0% of imports in value terms), Turkey (14.4%), and China (12.6%) remained the principal suppliers of strawberries to Central Asia, jointly accounting for 58.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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