DUSHANBE, 02.12.2019 (NIAT Khovar) –For the first time, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) approved quality standards for dried melons. Soon, a popular Central Asian treat  will enter the international dried fruit market.

More than $9 million tons of melons are produced annually in the world. At the height of the season, local markets in Central Asia overflow with different varieties of melons. In the fall, winter, and spring, farmers sell local dried melons. However, very few are exported.

According to the Tajikistan Ministry of Agriculture, the country produced more melons this season than before. As a result, watermelon and melon prices drastically decreased.

Watermelons and melons appeared thousands of years ago in Central Asia. Therefore, the most delicious and healthy varieties of these fruits still grow here.

The UN draws the attention of local farmers to the fact that they can increase their income by exporting dried melons. For this, they need to improve the quality of these products.

Although not all varieties of melons are suitable for drying, those that are suitable retain most of their valuable nutrients and vitamins. This dried fruit may become a new export product of  Central Asian countries.

In order to expand the dried melon trade and bring farmers to new export markets, the European Commission has approved international standards for the quality of dried melons. The standards have been developed with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Central Asian Working Group for Promotion of Quality Standards. This group includes experts from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Improving the quality of dried melons and the development of international standards will help it gain entrance into foreign markets.

Many local farmers in Central Asia still dry fresh melons in the sun using traditional methods. The UNECE believes that the transition to using modern equipment, the creation of mini-factories will help increase production volumes and shorten drying times. Moreover, such an approach will expand the possibilities of formal employment, especially for women.