Published
11/11/2026, 18:18The issue of potato sales, which farmers from Talas raised during a meeting with the president, was further discussed during negotiations in Tashkent. The Uzbek side expressed its readiness to support an initiative to establish a “green corridor” for the import of potatoes and other agricultural products from Kyrgyzstan.
On November 11, during talks with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Agriculture Ibrohim Abdurakhmonov, Erlist Akunbekov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, proposed waiving the VAT on shipments of Kyrgyz potatoes to Uzbekistan.
Ibrohim Abdurakhmonov, in turn, stated that the Uzbek side was ready to support the advancement of this initiative. Moreover, the discussion centered on creating a “green corridor” not only for potatoes but also for other types of agricultural products from Kyrgyzstan.
The initiative announced at the meeting between the two ministers was preceded by a request from Kyrgyz producers to reduce the costs that complicate the sale of their harvest in the neighboring market.
For example, on November 3, during a meeting between Sadyr Zhaparov and residents of the Aitmatov and Manas districts of the Talas Region, this issue was raised by farmers who grow potatoes and beans. They asked for a review of the procedure for collecting VAT on shipments of produce to Uzbekistan.
According to them, in 2022, following negotiations with the Uzbek side, they managed to establish shipments through seven border crossing points. At that time, a VAT exemption was in effect; however, in 2026, according to the farmers, the tax once again became an additional burden for producers.
Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economy explained to the president that the previous exemption had been a temporary measure. Zhaparov instructed the government to address the issue of its repeal.
“Eliminate VAT on potatoes. Repeal it for farmers, for fruits and vegetables,” the head of state declared.
The search for foreign buyers is taking place alongside restrictions on potato imports into Kyrgyzstan. In October, authorities announced a temporary import ban until March 1, 2027, citing sufficient domestic production as the reason. According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s forecast, the potato harvest in 2026 is expected to total about 1.25 million metric tons, while annual domestic demand is estimated at about 779,700 metric tons.
During the talks in Tashkent, the parties also agreed to establish a facility in Kyrgyzstan for the processing and storage of agricultural products, to be financed by the Kyrgyz-Uzbek Development Fund. Another agreement concerns the production of seeds in Kyrgyzstan for subsequent sale on the Uzbek market.
