Why are businessmen fined in Tajikistan?

In 2023, Tajik authorities prevented the import of dozens of tons of low-quality food products into the country. However, experts believe that the import of expired goods occurs not only due to the fault of businessmen. The factor of corruption in obtaining import permits is crucial.

The head of the food safety committee, Muhammadsaid Faizullozoda, reported at a press conference in Dushanbe in January 2024 that in 2023, 52.3 tons of meat, 10 tons of dairy products, 2.1 tons of vegetable oil, 31,000 eggs, 829 kg of fish, 528 kg of honey, 6,590 kg of dried fruits, more than 163,000 kg of fruits and vegetables, and 15.3 tons of melons were found to be expired or spoiled. All of this was removed from sale and destroyed.

According to the committee, last year 40 tons of spoiled cheese and 60 tons of potatoes imported from Russia, as well as 21 tons of mandarins from Iran, were discovered at the Tajikistan border. 128 entrepreneurs were fined, and criminal cases were initiated against some of them.

However, it turned out that sellers carefully check the labeling of expiration dates and usually do not accept goods for sale with less than one or two months until the expiration date.

Experts cite corruption at customs checkpoints as an important reason for the entry of low-quality and expired products into the country, as lengthy customs clearance procedures often lead to spoilage of goods.