Potatoes stranded at Kazakh border now reaching Uzbek markets

A shipment of potatoes, originally detained at the Kazakh-Uzbek border, is now being distributed to markets across Uzbekistan.

Earlier reports indicated that a wagon loaded with potatoes from the Kazakh city of Pavlodar rotted after being held for 10 days at the border due to inspection delays. These potatoes have since been cleared and sent to Uzbek markets, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The ministry clarified that the potatoes, owned by several Uzbek business entities, were temporarily halted on the Kazakh side of the border as part of standard phytosanitary procedures. The delay stemmed from minor technical issues found in the cargo documents, which have since been resolved.

The Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that there was no intentional or artificial delay of the goods. “Thanks to the joint efforts of the agriculture ministries of both countries, the products have now been delivered to the Chukursay storage facility in Tashkent,” the statement read.

The ministry also assured that all the affected potato products are now being distributed to retail outlets, which will help stabilize potato prices in local markets.

“The Ministry of Agriculture continues to monitor phytosanitary and logistical processes at the borders to ensure the delivery of high-quality and affordable products to the population. Measures are being implemented to prevent similar issues in the future,” the report concluded.

In earlier statements, the Ministry of Agriculture had projected when potato prices would start to decrease.