Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Kyrgyzstan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Kyrgyzstan expanded strongly from 6 138 t in 2018 to 12 746 t in 2021. This growth was supported by increased imports, which rose notably in 2019 and 2021, linked to the modernization and capacity expansion of major dairy plants in neighboring Kazakhstan, such as 'MASLO-DEL,' which boosted its exports to Central Asia. Domestic production in Kyrgyzstan also more than doubled over this period, contributing to the rising market volume.

Market volume stabilized at around 12 569 t in 2022. Imports from Kazakhstan fell that year, coinciding with a broader import substitution trend for butter and dairy fats in the Kazakh market, which altered regional trade flows. A sharp contraction followed in 2023, with the market dropping to 8 574 t. This decline was largely due to a significant increase in the export of raw milk and cream from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan, which reduced the domestic supply of raw materials available for processing into butter and dairy fats.

In subsequent years, the Kyrgyz market for fats and oils saw increased activity in the vegetable oil segment, including the opening of new oilseed processing plants and the introduction of higher-yielding crop varieties. These developments in a competing sector added context to the evolving landscape for dairy fats, though direct market size data for butter and milk fats beyond 2023 is not available.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Kyrgyzstan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2018-2021

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2018-2021

Kyrgyzstan's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 16 549 tonnes, marking a slight year-over-year rise of 1.2%. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 92.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 24.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Kyrgyzstan's production value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 62 138 thousand US dollars, representing an 11.4% increase compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value increased by 88%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 23.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Kyrgyzstan

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Kyrgyzstan's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined. In 2021, exports stood at 4 329 tonnes, showing a significant decrease of 14.1% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 76.3%, with an annualized rate of 20.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 5 037 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 47.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Russia accounted for 75.1% of Kyrgyzstan's total exports in kind, with the remaining volume distributed among many other countries, each holding smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market showed an unstable trend over the period. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats amounted to 16 253 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.4% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 17 188 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2018, resulting in a 1.8-fold gap between these years. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 74.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Russia absorbed 78.9% of the total export value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Kyrgyzstan, with the remainder spread across a wide range of smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Kyrgyzstan

Imports in kind, t

The import market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats totaled 526 tonnes, up by 348.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018, while the highest was in 2021, showing a peak-to-trough ratio of 34 times. The largest annual decline occurred in 2020 at 74.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 2,864.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan was the dominant supplier of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Kyrgyzstan, accounting for 85.6% of total imports in kind, with other countries sharing the remaining volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats amounted to 2 278 thousand US dollars, representing an advance of 354.9% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was in 2018, while imports peaked in 2021, differing by 32-fold. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2020 at 74.3%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 2,661.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Kazakhstan remained the main market for imports in value terms, with a share of 87.3% of total flows, while the rest was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021