Value Chains research report Tajikistan final - Microfinance Centre

Table 42. Export fresh Grape from Tajikistan
Countries of
2008 2009 2010
import of Tajik
grape
In tons Thousand
USD
In tons Thousand
USD
In tons Thousand
USD
Total 11945 4787 12736 3596 4716 1929
Kazakhstan 14 13 32 11 296 116
Russia 11153 4619 10808 3203 3821 1618
Ukraine 7 2 30 9 14 5
Afghanistan 411 62 514 102
Pakistan 334 58 826 154 557 139
Belorussia 26 33 68 76 6 9
Georgia 44 26
Iran 52 14
Source: State Statistic Agency of Tajikistan
The problem of reducing export of fresh grapes from Tajikistan has few causes:
• Undeveloped and declining export infrastructure (roads blocks by Uzbekistan, not
availability the auto truck which could transport the fresh grape, lack of railroad
trucks and problems with the railroad transportation thou the boarder)
• Degradation the plantations along the countries.
• Poor quality of packaging
• Poor presentation product and loosing the traditional market
The consumers of Tajik grapes in the export markets are the people with high
income, since grapes are exported to more favorable market niches. At the local market
grapes are consumed by everyone. The particular feature of value chain for grapes is
that more than 50% of grapes are produced and consumed by the population in fresh,
dried or processed (wine) form. The entire population of grapes growing districts is
involved in its production, since this is a traditional crop for many households. The
consumers of wines, as well as raisins, in the export markets, are the people with
average and low income level. They purchase the goods mostly in the markets.
The quality of Tajik raisins is inferior to that of Afghan and Uzbek raisins;
therefore our product is mostly used as a component in compote mixes. The situation of
production and export with raisins is identical to the dried apricots value chain.
However, the primary competitors here are manufacturers from Afghanistan and
Uzbekistan. Like apricots, raisins are transported in bags, have problems due to lack of
calibration, purity, packaging and sorting. Target markets require high quality goods,
Tajiks are losing what have traditionally been their markets, and the niche is
increasingly occupied by Turkish, Chinese and Iranian manufacturers.
The grapes sector is growing despite all the issues. Increase in fruit prices at the
local market added momentum to this growth by making the production of grapes more
profitable. There is a tendency for business consolidation and establishing sustainable
delivery chains.
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