Published
10/16/2025, 16:41Alcohol and cigarettes are becoming more expensive, but their exports are falling. While domestic prices are rising moderately, Kyrgyz producers of spirits and tobacco products are reducing their exports. An analysis of data for 2024–2025 shows that the market for alcohol and tobacco products is experiencing a noticeable slowdown.
The consumer price index for alcoholic beverages rose sharply in 2024, reaching 111.7% in December. However, growth slowed significantly in 2025: 101.1% in the first quarter and 101.4% in the second. Prices have stabilized, but demand is not showing the same dynamics as before.
The picture is similar in the tobacco market. In 2024, the price index jumped to 110.8% in December, but in 2023, growth also slowed: 103.2% in the first quarter and 101.9% in the second.
In 2023, 3.8 million cigarettes were exported abroad, with the entire volume going to Russia, for a total of $800.
The dynamics for strong alcoholic beverages are completely different. In 2023, exports amounted to 1.6 million liters (in terms of 100% alcohol) worth $5.7 million, but in 2024, shipments fell almost threefold to 610,000 liters and $3 million.
The main markets are Kazakhstan (407,800 liters, $2.4 million) and Russia (202,300 liters, $666,800).
On the other hand, imports of tobacco products continue to grow. In 2024, more than 2.4 billion tobacco products worth $61.5 million were imported into Kyrgyzstan, while a year earlier, imports amounted to 2.18 billion items worth $51 million.
The main supplier is Kazakhstan (1.96 billion items, $50.2 million), followed by Russia and Armenia.
