Tajikistan Sees Sharp Growth in Key Food Sectors

In the first half of 2025, Tajikistan experienced significant increases in the production of confectionery, salt, and alcoholic beverages, rising by 39.6 per cent, 38 per cent, and 33.9 per cent respectively.

At the same time, exports of food industry products also grew, led by dried fruits and non-alcoholic beverages, which formed the bulk of exports totaling $28.3 million, The Caspian Post reports per Tajik media.

Tajik Minister of Industry and New Technologies Sherali Kabir noted that the total output of Tajikistan’s food industry reached 4.8 billion somoni ($512.806 million) in the first six months of 2025 - a 108 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Food production in Tajikistan has shown steady growth since 2018, when output totaled 5.1 billion somoni ($544.856 million), rising to 11.4 billion somoni ($1.217 billion) by 2024.

In the first half of 2025, 48 new enterprises were established in the food sector, creating 277 new jobs. Currently, more than 850 enterprises operate within the industry.

The Ministry of Industry and New Technologies noted production increases in several key areas during the period: confectionery (+39.6 per cent), salt extraction (+38 per cent), alcoholic beverages (+33.9 per cent), non-alcoholic beverages (+24.2 per cent), pasta (+17.7 per cent), wheat flour (+15.9 per cent), dried fruits (+15.1 per cent), milk (+12.2 per cent), rice (+4.9 per cent), sausage products (+3.6 per cent), meat (+3.1 per cent), canned fruits and vegetables (+2.4 per cent), and bakery products (+2.2 per cent).

Domestic market supply of locally produced goods continues to improve, with the following market shares: non-alcoholic beverages at 95.6 per cent, meat at 82.1 per cent, flour at 92.5 per cent, dairy products at 66 per cent, confectionery at 66.4 per cent, pasta at 50.4 per cent, and vegetable oil at 16.5 per cent.

The creation of new production facilities and the growth of exports to the CIS, the US, and Europe continue rising steadily.

Food industry exports reached $28.3 million in the first half of 2025, up 3.7 per cent (or $1 million) compared to $27.3 million in the same period of 2024. Key export destinations included Kazakhstan, Russia, Türkiye, Germany, China, Uzbekistan, and Georgia.

During the reporting period, Tajikistan exported 45,100 tons of dried fruits, 16,200 tons of non-alcoholic beverages, 200 tons of food industry waste, 185 tons of salt, 1,700 tons of canned fruits and vegetables, 140 tons of confectionery, 496 tons of gelatin, and 1,300 tons of wheat flour.