Published
05/21/2026, 15:48Wheat imports into Kyrgyzstan rose by almost 50% between January and March 2026. Russia and Kazakhstan remain the main suppliers, with Russian exports increasing almost fourfold.
In the first three months of 2026, Kyrgyzstan imported 122,400 tonnes of wheat worth $28.2 million. A year ago, the volume stood at 81,900 tonnes worth $1.1 million.
Thus, wheat imports rose by 49.4% in physical volume and by 74.7% in monetary terms.
Russia became the main supplier, with 76,600 tonnes imported from there, worth $178 million. Compared to last year, imports of Russian wheat rose by 292.3% at a stroke.
Supplies from Kazakhstan, by contrast, fell by 26.6% — from 62,400 to 45,800 tonnes. At the same time, Kazakh wheat turned out to be slightly more expensive than Russian wheat. The average price was around $227 per tonne, compared to approximately $232 for Russian produce.
Barley imports increased a hundredfold. Between January and March, Kyrgyzstan imported 18,600 tonnes worth $3.6 million, compared to just 76 tonnes a year earlier.
Kazakhstan also became the main supplier of barley, providing 13,800 tonnes worth $2.7 million. Imports from Russia amounted to 4,800 tonnes worth $929,000.
Oat imports also increased — from 88 to 198 tonnes, or by 125%. In monetary terms, imports rose from $5,200 to $14,700.
Against the backdrop of rising grain imports, Kyrgyzstan is increasing its purchases of produce from neighbouring countries, primarily Russia and Kazakhstan.
