Turkmenistan strengthens its position as an exporter of fruits and vegetables. This year, more than 15 thousand tons of tomatoes and cucumbers were grown in greenhouses and sent abroad, which is almost twice as high as last year. Over 7.5 thousand tons of onions were also shipped to foreign customers. The export turnover of private greenhouse vegetables has reached 15 million US dollars since the beginning of the year.
According to the information released by the agricultural department of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan (UIET), the tomato crop grown in the country exceeded the needs of the domestic market by several times. By the end of the year, it is planned to harvest at least 15 thousand tons of fresh vegetables. Turkmen vegetables are in demand in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan. In June, the first batch of Turkmen tomatoes was exported to Dubai (UAE).
In this segment of the market, entrepreneurs from Akhal, Mary and Lebap provinces are in the lead. Most of the export-oriented greenhouse complexes are concentrated in these regions. About sixty private farms currently grow vegetables in closed ground on an area of more than 150 hectares. One of the largest producers of early vegetables is the Yigit economic society, which operates 30 hectares greenhouse in the Ahal velayat. Each hectare of its greenhouse produces up to 25 tons of tomatoes per month.
Turkmen products can be quite competitive in the European market, said Shamamed Annayev, member of the board of the UIET of Turkmenistan. At the same time, the focus on exports to the EU countries, according to the specialist, will contribute to the structural diversification of this agricultural sector and improve market mechanisms and profit growth.
