Kyrgyzstan’s dairy trade deficit reaches $17.28 million as imports accelerate

July imports widen the gap

Kyrgyzstan recorded a $17.28 million deficit in dairy trade during the first seven months of 2026 as imports accelerated sharply in July. According to 24.kg, citing data from the National Statistical Committee, dairy imports reached $36.44 million and 14,560 tonnes in January-July. The value was 1.9 times the $19.16 million earned by domestic exporters from shipments of 18,208.5 tonnes.

Monthly imports rose to $7.04 million in July from $4.48 million in June. The renewed influx of cheese, curd, powdered milk and liquid milk increased the sector’s trade deficit by $4.51 million in one month. Cheese and curd accounted for a $2.58 million month-on-month increase in purchases, while imports of powdered and condensed milk rose by $1.78 million.

Cheese and milk lead import growth

Cheese and curd were Kyrgyzstan’s largest dairy import category in January-July, at $13.87 million and 3,727.7 tonnes. Their value increased by 32%, while volume climbed by 50.3%, indicating that physical supply expanded faster than spending. Russia and Belarus were the principal suppliers. Ukraine also entered the five leading supplier countries through its cheese deliveries, displacing Uzbekistan.

Imports of powdered and condensed milk and cream totaled $7.72 million and 2,871 tonnes, mainly from Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan. Purchases of non-concentrated milk and cream, predominantly from Russia, rose by 91.6% in value and 64.9% in volume to $5.83 million and 3,224.2 tonnes. Imports of buttermilk, yogurt and kefir reached $6.88 million and 3,857.6 tonnes, increasing by 40.3% in value and 15.5% in volume.

Whey imports presented a different price-volume pattern: their value rose by 40.8%, although volume declined by 6.2%. Kyrgyzstan bought 700.4 tonnes worth $1.33 million from Russia and Belarus. Butter imports from Belarus and Kazakhstan totaled $815,300 and 179.1 tonnes. Belarus strengthened its overall position, raising its share of Kyrgyzstan’s dairy import market from 34.8% in June to 36.5% by the end of July.

Exports concentrate on neighboring markets

Kazakhstan remained the dominant destination for Kyrgyz dairy exports, accounting for 81.3% of sales, compared with 81.8% in the first half of the year. Buttermilk, yogurt and kefir were the largest export group by value at $5.85 million and 6,662.4 tonnes. Volume rose by 8% year on year, while prices slipped by 0.2%. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were the main buyers.

Exports of milk and cream, also directed mainly to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, reached 7,551.4 tonnes worth $5.24 million. That represented growth of 20.2% in value and 18.6% in volume. Performance was weaker in higher-value categories: cheese and curd exports fell by 31.6% from the previous year to 1,413.4 tonnes worth $4.91 million, while butter shipments dropped by 96% in value and 95.1% in volume to $784,200 and 150.1 tonnes.

Russia stalls as Uzbekistan gains share

Kyrgyz dairy exports to Russia stopped completely in July, reducing Russia’s share of foreign sales from 4.5% to 3.9%. Exports to Uzbekistan increased during the month, lifting its share from 12.6% to 13.8%. The figures show a widening imbalance: Kyrgyz producers are expanding sales of milk, cream and fermented products to nearby markets, but falling cheese and butter exports coincide with rapid import growth in several of the same categories. The result is stronger competition from Russian, Belarusian and Kazakh suppliers in Kyrgyzstan’s domestic market.