Value Chains research report Tajikistan final - Microfinance Centre

facilities, in
bulk, without
crates
arrive (crates and sawdust are not as
easily available in spring as during the
harvest season)
Lemons are usually stored by the growers. Sellers do not risk putting their fruit in the
storage due to the following reasons:
• Uncertainty that the lemons were not damaged during picking and transportation;
• Uncertainty whether too much fertilizer or plant protecting agents (including
fertilizers) was used, which affects the product’s shelf life;
• Uncertainty whether too much chemicals were used to wash the fruit after picking
(usually detergent solutions are used).
Lemons are very difficult to store. In the first two months, up to 30% of the fruit can be
lost due to rotting or shrinkage. Those who do take the risk and store their lemons
usually win and get a good profit margin. In 2009, lemons in Kumsangir were priced at 3
Somoni a kilo, while in July they were sold after storage at 40 Somoni per kilogram at
the markets in Dushanbe, or 30 Somoni at the farm level. This difference of over 1000%
covers and justifies the investment into this activity.
Export of lemons
Lemons of Tajikistan are mostly demanded in countries of Central Asia, Russia and
these countries have become the main customers (See Table 37). Lemons inside of the
country are being distributed in Khujand, Dushanbe, and Tursunzade. Export of lemons
to Uzbekistan (Denav, Tashkent and Namangan), Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan and Russia
is going through Tursunzade border (Sari Osiyo). There is a large amount of contraband
lemons which is being exported illegally. Farmers sell lemons for 4 somoni per kg, the
cost of lemons in Dushanbe is 10 somoni per kg and in the Uzbekistan market it is 20
somoni per kg.
Table 37: Lemon exports from Tajikistan (in tonnes)
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Export of Lemons (in 229 36 417 264 628
total)
Kazakhstan 34 - 108 76 21
Kirghizstan - - 15 18
Russia 160 26 2 1 17
Uzbekistan 9 - 228 187 552
Turkmenistan - - 64
Afghanistan 26 10 -
Pakistan 20
Source: State Statistic Agency of Tajikistan
The results of the current tables 37 show that most lemons in Tajikistan are consumed
by Central Asia (inside country and in export). Export of lemons increased in 2010 with
81