Turkmenistan boasts a total greenhouse area of around 800 hectares, with a remarkable 95% dedicated to tomato cultivation, according to entrepreneur Dovletgeldi Ballyev's article in Biznes Reklama. Simultaneously, new greenhouses covering approximately 600–650 hectares are under construction.
Three varieties of tomatoes are predominantly grown in Turkmenistan: TOVs, pink and cherry. Among the TOV varieties, the most popular are “Marvelance”, “Altes”, “Provence”, and among pink varieties - “Pink Paradise”, “Fujimario”. The average tomato yield in modern greenhouses is 250-300 tons per hectare, and in greenhouses with cooling equipment it can reach up to 400-450 tons per hectare.
In 2021, Turkmen businessmen exported 71,000 tons of tomatoes, escalating to 104,000 tons in 2022. From early 2023, exports reached approximately 103,000 tons, establishing Turkmenistan as a major tomato supplier to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
According to the grower, there's export potential to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and India during the summer at favourable prices through marketing efforts. Additionally, Turkmen businessmen have initiated tomato exports to Dubai, UAE.
Ballyev anticipates future greenhouse expansions to meet market demands, introducing large-scale cucumber, bell pepper, aubergine, strawberry, banana, and other vegetable cultivation.
source: business.com.tm