Turkmenistan is expanding its agricultural exports. The country has
launched its first large-scale exports of sweet cherries to CIS markets and has
become one of the five largest producers of stone fruits in Central Asia. The
fruit is grown at the country’s largest horticultural complex, which covers
over 8,800 hectares. Every stage of production is automated, from drip
irrigation to monitoring the condition of the trees. According to experts,
since sweet cherries are among the most demanding fruit crops, growing them in
a desert climate requires advanced technology and scientific innovation.
Immediately after harvest, the fruit is transported to state-of-the-art cold
storage facilities, where it is rapidly cooled to preserve its freshness. To
minimize losses, the company has also launched the production of freeze-dried
fruit using technologies originally developed for the space industry.
«At
the cold storage facility, fruit is rapidly cooled, sorted, and packaged using
modern imported equipment. Up to 20 tonnes of apples, sweet cherries,
nectarines, and pears are processed here every day. The produce is then
transferred to long-term storage facilities before being supplied to the domestic
market or exported,» said
Aman Muradov, chief specialist
at the cold storage facility.
«When
we first started planning the orchard, we took into account Turkmenistan’s
natural conditions, including summer and winter temperatures, soil conditions,
and the water drawn from the Karakum River. Based on these factors, our young
orchard is now developing very well. We planted the sweet cherry trees in 2022,
and for the first time in Turkmenistan’s history, we were able to export the
fruit,» said Ykhlas Khudainazarov, director of the horticultural
complex.
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