Currently, dry warehouses dominate the region, and a significant portion of the products is stored in inadequate conditions, often in households or garages. This leads to a substantial share of the harvest being lost due to the lack of proper storage conditions.
“In Russia, the level of provision with such facilities is over 80% of needs, while in Central Asia it is significantly lower. For example, in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, the available refrigerated storage capacity is estimated to be only 30-70% of the required volume,” notes the EDB.
Every year, about 14 million tons of agricultural products are lost or stored in inadequate conditions in Central Asia. This problem is particularly acute during peak season — in the fall, when fruits and vegetables are harvested, and in the spring, when the leftovers are sold.
“At this time of year, it is necessary to create buffer zones for storage and organize urgent transportation. Otherwise, farmers are forced to sell excess produce at reduced prices or throw it away,” emphasize the authors of the study.
