For the first time, USAPEEC Central Asia featured a booth at the AgroPack 2026 exhibition, the largest food industry event in Turkmenistan. This year the show hosted approximately 100 exhibitors from 12 countries. The exhibition receives strong support from the Turkmen government, particularly from the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Economy.
The USAPEEC booth was visited by First Deputy Prime Minister Nokerguly Atagulyyev, who expressed interest in the expanding supply of U.S. poultry products to Turkmenistan.
During a separate working meeting with U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Rood and Turkmenistan’s Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations Nazar Agahanov, the USAPEEC representatives discussed the structure and logistics of U.S. poultry exports to Turkmenistan and jointly reviewed opportunities for future growth.
Over the past several years, USAPEEC has become a leading driver of U.S. agricultural exports to Turkmenistan. Demand for U.S. chicken leg quarters and drumsticks has demonstrated exceptional growth, with export volumes increasing from 18,700 metric tons in 2023 to 42,000 metric tons in 2025 valued at almost USD 49 million — more than doubling within two years. During January–March 2026, export volumes rose by 267% compared to the same period in the previous year, making Turkmenistan the largest importer of U.S. poultry among the countries of the former Soviet Union.
Several factors are driving this demand, including limited domestic poultry production, insufficient supplies and rising prices of traditional meats such as beef and lamb, and government subsidy programs that offset part of the cost of U.S. poultry purchases made by authorized state companies. Chicken leg quarters and drumsticks are distributed nationwide as affordable "social products" and sold at regulated retail prices. According to local importers and distributors, the market potential for U.S. poultry could exceed 100,000 metric tons annually within the next three to five years.
Ambassador Rood showed particular interest in the status and future development of the supply chain for U.S. poultry and other agricultural commodities, especially considering Turkmenistan’s ambition to become a major logistics hub connecting Europe and Asia through the infrastructure of the Port of Turkmen Bashi on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea.
The U.S. Economic and Commercial Officer Christian Burstall emphasized the importance of continued USAPEEC engagement with local businesses and government agencies and proposed participation in the establishment of a U.S.–Turkmenistan Business Council.
During a meeting with Turkmenistan’s Minister of Trade Trade Nazar Agahanov, USAPEEC representatives outlined key aspects of U.S. poultry production and processing practices, including cold chain management, food safety standards, and halal certification procedures, which are particularly important for Central Asian countries with predominantly Muslim populations. The Minister expressed interest in visiting the United States to gain firsthand insight into poultry production, processing, and cold storage operations.
USAPEEC also recognized Turkmenistan’s efforts toward WTO accession and its progress in reducing trade barriers. The country currently accepts poultry products from all FSIS-approved facilities and recognizes the FSIS Form 9060-5 export certificate.
USAPEEC views Turkmenistan as a highly promising market and an important regional opportunity for expanding U.S. poultry exports across Central Asia. The organization plans to continue investing in promotional activities and trade support programs to strengthen its presence in this country.
.png)
