Higher yields fruit and vegetables in Uzbekistan are providinglittle extra income for farmers as the country's export ban remains inplace, although domestic prices have stabilised since the ban'sintroduction earlier in the year

The Uzbek Ministry ofAgriculture and Water has reported that year-on-year fruit productionin the country has increased by 15.1 per cent during the first half ofthe year as a result of warm spring temperatures

However, statenews agency UzA reported that exports of food and agricultural productshad been prohibited in order to safeguard domestic supply ahead of theautumn and winter, meaning exporters have been unable to take advantageand sell excess produce

Agricultural observers told UzA that theban has meant a large loss of income that would usually come from salesto neighbouring central Asian countries, where prices are higher

'Weare forced to content ourselves with minimum earnings, when we had beenexpecting to earn more by selling vegetables, apricots, peaches, grapesand watermelons at markets in Kazakhstan,' one Uzbek grower said

Statisticsfrom the Uzbek Ministry of Agriculture and Water said that of the 10mtonnes of fruit and vegetables produced in the country each year,approximately 30 per cent is exported to Russia and Kazakhstan.

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