Farmers in the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan have expressed concerns over the challenges they face in selling their apricot harvest, particularly the premium dried varieties. The issue was discussed during a recent meeting between the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Edil Baisalov, and residents of Batken district.
A resident of Batken district explained that many locals depend on apricot farming for their income, but prices are very low this year. She noted that 'Bargek,' a premium dried apricot, is selling for just 1.1 euro, down from 10.8 euros last year. She called for government help to improve export conditions, saying that without support, farmers can't earn enough to meet their needs.
Baisalov stressed the importance of forming cooperatives to standardize the processing and drying of apricots, ensuring consistent quality for export. He mentioned that a unified approach would help farmers meet the necessary export standards. The newly established "Kyrgyz Export" Center can assist farmers in exploring export opportunities and securing financing through cooperatives.
"Currently, individual farmers do not receive loans, but there are opportunities through farmer cooperatives," Baisalov stated.
As of now, the price for dried apricots of the 'Bargek' variety stands at 2.7 euros per kilogram. Dried round apricots, depending on quality, can reach up to 4.9 euros per kilogram.
Each year, the Batken region exports thousands of tons of fresh and dried apricots. Apricots are cultivated across approximately 8,000 hectares in the region. Farmers have already sent part of this year's harvest for export.
In Batken city, during the season, this variety of apricot was sold at prices ranging from 0.9 to 2.5 euros per kilogram.
Source: turmush.kg