DUSHANBE, February 19, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- The monthly report for February 2013, Monitoring and Early Warning in Tajikistan , notes that wheat flour prices remain at or close to historic highs in the main and regional markets of Tajikistan.  High prices are likely to continue and place pressure on vulnerable families to meet food needs.

The January Famine Early Warning System Network (FewsNet) PRICE WATCH: December Food Prices, reports, “In Tajikistan, wheat grain and flour prices were stable in December 2012 due to increased supplies from Kazakhstan where prices were stable at high levels.  These prices were well above their respective 2011 and five-year average levels as a result of high export prices from Kazakhstan, the country’s main source of wheat and wheat flour imports, and high transport costs.  The greatest increase was observed in Khujand where wheat grain and flour prices where 17 and 38 percent above their 2011 levels, respectively.”

The Tajikistan Market Price Report for January 2013, produced by WFP Tajikistan, notes: “In December 2012, the price of wheat flour first grade decreased in Dushanbe by 5 percent on a month-on-month basis but remained 20 percent higher compared to December 2011. Country-wide, prices were up by 26 percent than last year.

According to Monitoring and Early Warning in Tajikistan , as of January, wheat prices were slightly lower at Dushanbe and Khujand marketplaces compared to recent historically high prices, but remain at historically high levels in Qurghon Teppa.

In January, wheat flour prices in Gharm dropped slightly and in Khorog (Gorno Badakhshan) were stable but close to historically high levels.

Meanwhile, the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan notes that wheat flour prices rose 31 percent in January.

In January, Tajikistan imported more than 24,000 tons of wheat flour and some 64,000 tons of wheat for US$10.3 million and US$21.6 million respectively.

Current price for a 50-kilogram sack of Kazakh first grade wheat flour at Dushanbe’s marketplaces is 160.00 somoni (equivalent to 33.00 U.S. dollars).