DUSHANBE, November 21, 2012, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan’s wheat imports may reach one million tons next year as demand for wheat is increasing in the country, Taghoymurod Sharipov, head  the State Unitary Enterprise (SUE) Ghalla (Grain), told Asia-Plus in an interview.

“Compared to 2011 this year’s wheat shipments to the country have nearly doubled,” said Sharipov.  “Over the first ten months of this year, Tajikistan has imported 602,000 tons of wheat from Kazakhstan, which is 275,200 tons more than in the same period last year.  Tajikistan has imported 289,600 tons of flour over the report period, which is 32,000 tons more than in January-October 2011.”     

According to him, the wholesale prices for wheat have risen $160.00 since the beginning of the year and current wholesale prices for one ton of wheat fluctuates from $340.00 to $345.00. on DAF conditions.

As far as the price for a 50-kilogram sack of imported grade I wheat flour is concerned, it has fallen considerably – from 170.00-175.00 somoni in October to 150.00 somoni.

According to the statistical data from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Tajik farmers have yielded 794,000 tons of wheat this year.  Last year, Tajikistan reportedly produced 435,000 tons of wheat.

Current price for a 50-kilogram sack of domestic wheat flour at Dushanbe’s bazaars fluctuates from 130.00 to135.00 somoni.

Tajikistan’s annual requirements in cereals are now 1.5 million tons and Kazakhstan accounts for some 70 percent of Tajikistan’s grain imports.