Turkmenistan’s rapid expansion on the market of greenhouse tomatoes

EastFruit experts have repeatedly written about the incredibly rapid expansion of Turkmenistan in the production and exports of greenhouse vegetables, primarily greenhouse tomatoes. In particular, Turkmenistan has been successfully competing with Uzbekistan in its traditional markets for several years now. If earlier Uzbek exporters looked down on a competitor, believing that they could only compete on price, now greenhouse tomatoes from Turkmenistan are demonstrating significant progress in quality as well.

A vivid example of this phenomenon right now can be seen in the markets of Tajikistan, where the first large batch of greenhouse tomatoes from Turkmenistan arrived today.

“Today, the first truck of Turkmen greenhouse tomatoes arrived at the wholesale market of Khujand, and half of the truck has already been sold. There is really a queue of buyers for it, and this product is especially interesting for those who supply vegetables to supermarket chains. The main reason is high quality parameters, high-quality packaging, and very good appearance. Also, Turkmen greenhouse tomatoes have a visual advantage over Uzbek ones in the form of a green twig, which is very popular with buyers and guarantees good sales,” says Bakhtiyor Abduvokhidov, International Consultant of FAO.

He also notes that greenhouse tomatoes from Turkmenistan successfully compete in the Tajik market not only with greenhouse tomatoes from Uzbekistan, but also with local tomatoes from open fields! Prices for Turkmen greenhouse tomatoes in wholesale trade are $0.65 per kg, and for local ones from open field – $0.55 per kg. Turkmen tomato sells better and faster, despite the higher price.

In the photos below you can see the appearance of greenhouse tomatoes from Turkmenistan and local products from the open field, which are traditionally sold in second-hand banana boxes.