Tajikistan’s foreign trade is not limited to food, fuel, grain, vehicles and metals. The country also imports and exports human hair, artificial eyes, expensive musical instruments, robots, brooms, playing cards, and even ice and snow.

Asia-Plus examined Tajikistan’s foreign trade statistics for the first half of 2026 and identified several unusual goods that rarely appear in economic news.

Nearly 191,000 Golf Balls and 327,000 Decks of Cards

In the first six months of 2026, Tajikistan imported nearly 191,000 golf balls from China. The shipment weighed about 29 tons and was valued at $43,000, meaning each ball cost an average of approximately 23 cents.

In the same period of 2025, the country imported around 45,000 golf balls. Deliveries therefore increased more than fourfold, although golf is hardly a mainstream sport in Tajikistan.

More than 327,000 decks of playing cards were also imported from China. The shipment weighed nearly 103 tons and was worth around $188,000.

Tajikistan also imported 52 small recreational and sports watercraft from Japan, China, Canada, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates. Japan supplied the largest number, with 19 units. The total value of the watercraft was approximately $53,800.

China also supplied 6,670 water skis weighing nearly 16.8 tons and valued at around $28,000. Their number increased almost 2.5 times compared with the first half of 2025.

Tajikistan Sells Chicks and Buys Horses

One notable item in the live-animal trade was young chicks.

Tajikistan exported nearly 1.3 million chicks to Afghanistan for around $435,000. Another 80,700 were sold to Uzbekistan.

The birds weighed no more than 185 grams each and were most likely purchased by poultry farms for further raising.

Meanwhile, Tajikistan imported eight live horses from Uzbekistan for a total of $10,000, or an average of $1,250 per animal.

In the first half of 2025, the country imported 17 horses worth a combined $17,000.

Animal Intestines Exported for Industrial Use

Tajikistan exported around 118.6 tons of animal intestines, stomachs and bladders worth a total of $24,300.

Vietnam purchased the largest share, around 82.5 tons. Another 21.2 tons went to Pakistan, 10.8 tons to Syria and approximately 4 tons to Kazakhstan.

Such products are commonly used to make natural sausage casings, while some may also be intended for industrial processing.

Tajikistan Exports Hair and Imports Wigs

Human hair was among the most unusual export items.

During the six-month period, Tajikistan exported around 30.6 tons of unprocessed human hair and hair waste worth $17,600.

Myanmar received nearly 19.8 tons, Bangladesh 7.5 tones, the UAE 2 tons and Vietnam around 1.3 tons.

Human hair is used to manufacture wigs, hair extensions and similar products. The relatively low declared value may be explained by the inclusion of clippings and waste.

At the same time, Tajikistan imported finished products made from natural and synthetic hair. China supplied 471 kilograms of wigs, false beards, eyebrows, eyelashes and similar goods valued at just $889, or less than $2 per kilogram.

In other words, Tajikistan exported raw materials and imported finished products made from them.

Industrial Robots for $1,200

Tajikistan imported 15 devices classified as industrial robots from China. Their combined weight was only 60 kilograms, while their total value was around $1,200.

The figures are far too low for full-sized industrial robots, suggesting that the shipment may have consisted of small educational devices, compact mechanisms or individual components.

Tajikistan also exported one aircraft weighing just 10 kilograms and valued at $500 to Kazakhstan. It was listed under a broad customs category that includes balloons, airships, gliders and hang gliders.

One Grand Piano Worth More Than 52 Boats

A grand piano weighing 750 kilograms was imported from Germany at a declared value of $93,000.

For comparison, all 52 boats and other small watercraft imported during the same period were worth approximately $53,800. The single piano therefore cost nearly twice as much as all the boats combined.

Customs data do not identify the buyer. However, this spring the Russian Piano School project donated a Steinway & Sons concert grand piano to the Sadriddin Ayni State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Tajikistan also imported 591 sets of timpani and drums from China. The instruments weighed more than 10 tons and were valued at around $44,500. Another 70 similar instruments arrived from Uzbekistan. Customs statistics recorded a total of 715 units.

Beverage Equipment Exported for Millions

A far more valuable item was equipment used for filling and packaging beverages.

In the first half of 2026, Tajikistan exported 26 such machines worth nearly $2.8 million.

The equipment can be used to fill bottles, attach caps and labels, and produce carbonated drinks.

Kazakhstan purchased 23 units worth around $2.75 million, making this one of the most valuable unusual trade items identified in the statistics.

More Than Half a Million Brooms Imported

Tajikistan imported more than 570,000 brooms and brushes made from twigs and other plant materials.

The shipments weighed nearly 195 tons and were valued at around $213,000.

China supplied approximately 306,000 units, Uzbekistan nearly 139,000 and Afghanistan around 126,000.

On average, each broom weighed about 340 grams and cost less than 40 cents.

Tons of artificial flowers

Around 94 tons of artificial flowers, leaves and fruit worth nearly $183,000 were imported into Tajikistan.

Most came from China, with smaller shipments arriving from Poland and Uzbekistan.

Such decorations are widely used in wedding halls, restaurants, shops and at festive events.

Tajikistan also imported around 1.3 tons of mannequins from Uzbekistan and Spain. These may have included clothing display figures, dressmaker’s mannequins and animated shop-window decorations.

The shipments were valued at approximately $2,900.

Tajikistan Exported Ice and Snow

Perhaps the most unexpected item was ice and snow.

In the first half of the year, Tajikistan exported more than 855,000 liters of food-grade ice worth around $198,000.

Almost the entire volume, more than 833,000 liters, was delivered to Iran. Around 22,000 liters went to Uzbekistan, while a shipment of just 2 liters was sent to Türkiye.