Kyrgyzstan loses around 40% of its annual fruit and berry harvest because of insufficient processing capacity, logistical constraints, and weak market channels. The figures were cited by Zhamin Akimaliev, academician of the National Academy of Sciences, in a radio interview on September 19.
According to him, the country produces enough fruit and berry crops to cover domestic demand, yet only 55–60% of the harvest reaches the market. The rest is lost due to problems with storage, transportation, and the absence of established export channels.
Processing remains minimal. For example, only about 1% of the apricot harvest in the Batken region is processed, while the majority is sold fresh.
Akimaliev noted that the development of new processing facilities, together with stable sales and export mechanisms, is essential to reduce post-harvest losses. He emphasized that without state involvement, the market will remain dominated by intermediaries who buy at low farm-gate prices and resell at higher levels.
Source: www.tazabek.kg