KHUJAND, June 18, Asia-Plus  -- Over the first five months of this year, 5,797.2 tons of bread and other bakery products have been produced in the northern Sughd province, which is  337.5 kilograms more than in the same period of last year, Ms. Matlouba Oqilova, the chairperson of the industry department within the Sughd agency for statistics, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.  

            According her, ten state-run enterprises and fifteen private bakeries are currently engaged in baking bread and other bakery products in the province.  The price of one kilogram of bread in Sughd now fluctuates from 0.65 to 0.90 somoni, while last year, it cost 0.60-0.75 somoni, Ms. Oqilova said. 

            In the meantime, the flour production volumes have reduced in the province over the report period.  “In January-May 2008, local milling plants have produced wheat flour 515.5 tons less than in the same period of last year,” said Oqilova.  “Although the flour production volumes have reduced in the province, flour imports have probably increased.”