DUSHANBE, July 13, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Tajik farmers have increased fruit production this year that has led to up to 40 percent reduction in prices of fruit products, Narzullo Dadaboyev, a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), said.

“Despite drought and fuel price hike, prices of fruits have not risen; on contrary, they have fallen 30-40 percent as compared with same period last year,” the spokesman said, noting that that has become possible due to increase in fruit yields and expansion of areas under fruits.

According to him, Tajikistan has exported 2,750 tons of fresh fruits over the first six months of this year, which is 250 tons more than in the same period last year.

To-date, Tajik farmers have reportedly produced more than 9,000 tons of fruits and 199 tons of grapes.  Tajik farmers plan to produce some 68,500 tons fruits ad more than 34,500 tons of grapes this year.