Tajikistan and Neighboring Countries Face Rising Bread Costs

In the first half of 2025, bread and flour prices increased across Central Asia.

In Tajikistan, the bread price index rose 4.7 per cent and flour by 4.9 per cent compared with December 2024, with the sharpest monthly jumps in February-March, The Caspian Post informs per Tajik media.

Traditional 250-300 gram flatbreads now cost up to 6 somoni ($0.65) in supermarkets, with decreased weight contributing to a hidden price increase.

Price hikes are driven by higher wheat import costs, energy and transport expenses, and changes in product weight and format. Over the past decade, flour prices in Tajikistan have nearly doubled, from 150 somoni ($16.16) per sack in 2015 to around 300 somoni ($32.33) today. Experts warn that climate change and global market fluctuations could further increase prices.

In Uzbekistan, first-grade wheat bread prices have risen nearly 78 per cent since 2020, with flour costs up by 57-73 per cent, while the country remains heavily reliant on imports, mainly from Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan saw flour prices rise 3.7 per cent, with average bread around 60 soms ($0.0048), and Kazakhstan experienced a 4.1 per cent increase in bread prices despite a slight drop in flour costs.

Tajikistan expects increased grain and flour production by 2028, which may reduce reliance on imported flour, though wheat imports are projected to remain high, reaching 1.308 million tons by 2028.