Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan made an official statement in connection with the announcement in our country of quarantine due to coronavirus infection COVID-19.

It says that in this situation, "the country is carrying out systematic work to ensure price stability in agricultural markets, to prevent price increases in dekhkan markets and in large stores in all regions."

The Ministry of Agriculture reports that there will be no shortage of agricultural products, since in our country there are no problems with providing the population with food products at stable prices, and the formation of their stocks.

“Every day, on average 1600-1800 tons of potatoes are sent from warehouses to markets. Now another 90 thousand tons of potatoes are stored in warehouses. It is expected that the harvest of early-ripening potato varieties grown in the Surkhandarya region in April will amount to 65 thousand tons.

Typically, a shortage of potatoes (by 45-50 thousand tons) occurs in March-April, and starting in May, the need for this type of product is met through domestic production. Other vegetables and legumes were also taken under control,” the statement said.

It is also reported that in Tashkent systematic measures have been taken to release the main types of agricultural products placed in warehouses for the stock of the winter-spring season 2019-2020 to the domestic market. 34907 tons of potatoes, 4965 tons of onions, 9996 tons of carrots and 6313 tons of rice, which are exported to markets in all regions on the basis of the plan, are stored.

The Ministry of Agriculture urges not to believe in the information distributed on social networks that food prices are rising in Uzbekistan due to the coronavirus.

“There is no reason to panic. In dekhkan markets, trade fairs are organized in connection with Navruz. Laboratory specialists conduct a special check of food and agricultural products imported to the markets to provide the population with safe products,” the department emphasizes.