Iran Export Ban Pushes Food Prices Higher in Turkmenistan and Central Asia

Food prices are rising sharply in Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries after Iran halted exports of goods and agricultural products amid the escalating Middle East conflict, disrupting regional trade flows and supply chains.

Iran last week banned all exports of goods and agricultural products, a move that has created supply shortages in neighbouring countries that rely heavily on Iranian food supplies.

Turkmenistan, which shares a border of roughly 20 kilometers with Iran, has been particularly affected. Many markets in the capital Ashgabat are already reporting significant price increases.

Food Prices Double in Local Markets

Consumers say the price of several basic products has surged since the conflict began.

At a market in Ashgabat, pensioner Shemshat Kurbanova said she used to buy Iranian fruit and juice regularly because they were affordable and widely available.

But now, she says, prices have surged dramatically.

“Everything has doubled in price,” Kurbanova told AFP, expressing concern about how long her pension will cover basic living costs.

According to an AFP journalist in Ashgabat:

• Mandarins now cost about $1.90

• Apples are priced at more than $2

• A pack of cigarettes has risen to around $3, roughly double previous prices

Consumers worry that prolonged supply disruptions could push prices even higher in the coming weeks.

Iran a Key Trade Partner for Central Asia

Although official trade data from Turkmenistan is limited, Iran has long been a major supplier of food products to Central Asian markets, alongside China and Russia.

The country also serves as an important transport corridor linking Central Asia to international markets, including access to the Persian Gulf and shipping routes to India, the Middle East, and Europe.

Kyrgyz economist Iskender Sharsheyev explained that Iran has historically played a strategic role in regional trade.

“Iran has for a long time played the role of a window to the south for Central Asia,” he said. “Key transport corridors pass through its territory, providing access to the Persian Gulf and global markets.”

Supply Chains Disrupted

The conflict and resulting export ban have disrupted these transport routes, causing delays and supply shortages across several sectors.

Sharsheyev noted that the effects are already being felt throughout Central Asia.

“The consequences for the region are visible: delays in deliveries and rising prices for fuel, fertiliser, medicines and electronics,” he said.

Businesses involved in cross-border trade are also feeling the impact.

Byashim Ovezov, a trader who imports Iranian food products into Turkmenistan, said the supply situation has changed drastically.

“The flow of goods has decreased,” he said.

Ovezov warned that if the conflict continues, the economic consequences could worsen.

“If the war continues, not only will prices double or more, but people like me could lose our jobs,” he added.

Limited Alternatives for Food Imports

Iran traditionally supplies fruit, vegetables, dairy products and other food items to Central Asian countries.

Replacing these imports quickly is challenging because alternative trade routes are limited.

While the Caspian Sea corridor offers another transport option, it currently lacks the infrastructure capacity needed to handle significantly larger cargo volumes.

Trade Disruptions Spread Across the Region

The disruption is also affecting neighbouring countries such as Tajikistan, where trade with Iran reached nearly $500 million in 2025.

In the capital Dushanbe, a shop owner who sells Iranian products said supply chains have stopped abruptly.

“The borders were shut immediately and exports stopped, so our products got stuck,” she said.

With Iranian exports halted and regional logistics strained, analysts warn that food prices and supply shortages could continue across Central Asia if the conflict persists.