Tajikistan to import 1.35 million tons of wheat in 2025/26, FAO reports

Tajikistan is bracing for significant wheat imports in the 2025/26 marketing year, with projections indicating a need for 1.35 million metric tons of wheat, including grain and flour. This volume surpasses the country's average import levels, highlighting its reliance on external sources for grain security. Wheat constitutes over 90% of Tajikistan's total grain imports, underscoring its importance as a staple food.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) noted that the expansion of domestic milling capacity over the last decade has shifted Tajikistan's import patterns. The country now imports more wheat grain while significantly reducing its purchases of finished wheat flour, by nearly 90%. This strategic shift aims to leverage domestic processing capabilities.

Data from the first half of 2026 reveals that Tajikistan imported approximately 660,900 metric tons of wheat and meslin, valued at over $171.5 million. Kazakhstan was the dominant supplier, providing about 655,700 metric tons, with a smaller amount coming from Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, domestic grain cultivation is underway, with winter crops sown in November 2025 and spring crops beginning in April 2026.

Despite the import reliance, retail prices for first-grade wheat flour remained stable year-on-year as of March 2026. The FAO attributes this stability to the above-average wheat harvest in 2025 and consistent import volumes. The organization continues to monitor global food prices to provide early warning information.