Kyrgyzstan was the first nation to be the first country in Central Asia to lift the ban on exports of onions before it was previously set. The temporary ban on exports of onions imposed through the state at beginning of January was in effect for less than one month rather than the anticipated three months, EastFruit experts note.

“In conformity with the Decree of Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic dated March 3 2023, 2023 No. 111, the current restriction regarding the import of onions was removed from March 3rd 2023.” the official announcement posted on Facebook that is run by the Ministry of Agriculture of the country reads.

Please be reminded that in the wake of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan introduced at the beginning of January 2023 a temporary ban on exports of onions, beginning January 31 until the 30th of April 2023 inclusive. The reason for the restriction was the need to guarantee food security and limit the costs for important food products, which included all varieties of onions.

In the second quarter in February 2023 officials of the country began to prepare for the removal of the restrictions on exports of onions. The Ministry of Agriculture of Kyrgyzstan came up with a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic that called for the lifting of export restrictions of onions.

“The (agricultural) department accepted citizen demands as well as organisations of Kyrgyzstan that cultivate onions. According to them the country is able to produce enough food products to satisfy the demand for domestic consumption.

Presently, the requirement of the people in Kyrgyzstan for onions in a month is about 6 000 tonnes. The current reserves of farmers are around 50 000 tonnes which is enough to will meet the requirements of the people over 2-2.5 months.” Ekonomist.kg informs.

The ban on imports of onion from Kyrgyzstan was imposed at the close of January 2023 was in place from January 31 until 3 March 2023 which is just 32 days rather than the three months anticipated. Kyrgyzstan was one of the very first Central Asian country to cancel the temporary ban on export of onions before the time it was planned.

EastFruit has reported that the farmers of Kazakhstan have asked the government to look at the quantity of onions needed for domestic consumption and permit the excess to be exported. They fear that there’s not enough onions on the market in Kazakhstan and that the remainder may be rotting. To solve the problem farmers sought out their local chamber of entrepreneurs, the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs.

For more details: east-fruit.com