Farmers in the Jalal-Abad region, Kyrgyzstan, are facing the problem of low watermelon prices, reports a Turmush correspondent.
Despite a good harvest, farmers are encountering difficulties in selling their produce. The first harvest of watermelons is sold at 0.38 euros per kilogram. In the season, the price of watermelons sharply dropped to 0.31 euros per kilogram, resulting in losses. A farmer shared that he earned only 27 euros for transporting and selling 300 medium-sized watermelons, which does not even cover the costs of harvesting and transportation.
The situation worsened due to an oversupply and the absence of large buyers. Some farmers are forced to dispose of their harvest. The Ministry of Agriculture is trying to solve the problem by organizing the export of watermelons to Russia, but the export volumes are still insufficient.
The head of the district agricultural development department reported that 100 tons of watermelons were exported from Aksy to Russia last week. Negotiations for further exports are ongoing, but farmers are demanding permanent solutions.
Farmers cannot sell their watermelons and melons due to competition from imported produce from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, they hope for government support.
Source: turmush.kg