The foreign trade turnover of Tajikistan for January–May 2026 amounted to $5.8 billion, increasing by 44.6% compared to the same period last year.
In the first five months of 2025, the country’s foreign trade volume was about $4 billion. Thus, over the year, the figure grew by approximately $1.8 billion.
Exports are growing, but the trade deficit remains
The most noticeable growth was in exports. In January–May 2026, Tajikistan exported goods worth $1.4 billion, which is 76.8% more than in the same period last year.
Imports also increased, but at a more moderate pace. Over five months, goods worth $4.4 billion were imported into the country. The growth compared to January–May 2025 was 36.5%.
Despite the acceleration of exports, Tajikistan’s trade balance remains negative. The country still imports significantly more than it exports. The negative foreign trade balance for January–May 2026 was about $2.9 billion. A year earlier, this figure was at the level of $2.4 billion.
At the same time, the structure of trade turnover slightly improved in favor of exports. Its share in the total volume of foreign trade increased from 20% to 24.5%.
China and Russia remain key partners
The largest trading partners of Tajikistan for the first five months of 2026 were China, Russia, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkey, the Republic of Korea, Belarus, and Germany.
China and Russia maintained their positions as the country’s largest trading partners.
Meanwhile, compared to last year, the role of Switzerland has noticeably strengthened, becoming one of the key directions of Tajikistan’s foreign trade.
Ores and metals ensured export growth
In the export structure, among the main commodity groups, ores, slag and ash, other non-precious metals, aluminum and products made from it, cotton, mineral fuel, copper, fruits and nuts, equipment, and clothing stand out.
The export of ores and metals grew the most. At the same time, the export of cotton, despite remaining among the largest items, decreased by approximately $29 million.
In imports, mineral fuel, oil and products of their distillation, land transport and its parts, ferrous metals, equipment, electrical machines, cereals, wood, plastics, and products made from ferrous metals lead.
Particularly noticeable was the increase in the supply of land transport, ferrous metals, equipment, and electrical machines. Mineral fuel, meanwhile, retained the first place among imported commodity groups.
Tajikistan’s foreign trade (January–May 2026)
Source: Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan
1. Key Indicators
Indicator Value Change vs. January–May 2025Total trade turnoverUS$5.8 billion +44.6%ExportsUS$1.4 billion +76.8%ImportsUS$4.4 billion +36.5%Trade balance–US$2.9 billion —Share of exports in total trade24.5%(2025: 20%)Import coverage by exports52.3%(2025: 39.8%)
2025 (January–May):
Trade turnover: US$4.0 billion
Exports: US$0.8 billion
Imports: US$3.2 billion
2. Top 10 Trading Partners
1. China
2. Russia
3. Switzerland
4. Kazakhstan
5. Uzbekistan
6. Iran
7. Türkiye
8. Republic of Korea
9. Belarus
10. Germany
China and Russia remained the leading trading partners, while Switzerland significantly strengthened its position.
3. Largest export commodity groups
Commodity GroupValueOres, slag and ashUS$385.4 millionOther non-precious metalsUS$122.8 millionAluminum and articles thereofUS$110.9 millionCottonUS$82.2 millionMineral fuelsUS$38.2 millionCopper and articles thereofUS$32.8 millionFruits and nutsUS$32.2 millionMachinery and equipmentUS$13.0 millionClothing and textile productsUS$10.6 millionOrganic chemical productsUS$10.0 million
Exports of ores and metals rose sharply. Cotton exports declined but remained among the leading export items.
4. Largest import commodity groups
Commodity GroupValueMineral fuelsUS$615.4 millionVehicles and partsUS$477.5 millionFerrous metalsUS$390.2 millionMachinery and equipmentUS$350.2 millionElectrical machinery and equipmentUS$231.3 millionCerealsUS$166.7 millionTimber and wood productsUS$142.8 millionPlastics and plastic productsUS$118.0 millionArticles of iron and steelUS$108.1 millionEdible fruits and nutsUS$93.9 million
Particularly notable growth was recorded in imports of vehicles, ferrous metals, machinery, and electrical
