Grape wine market in Kyrgyzstan

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for grape wine in Kyrgyzstan declined from 7.0 million liters in 2018 to 3.5 million liters in 2023. The sharpest contraction occurred in 2020, when the market fell to 3.0 million liters, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted economic activity and consumer spending. Although a partial recovery followed in 2021, the market did not return to pre-pandemic levels.

From 2022 onward, a series of government measures and private investments aimed at revitalizing the wine industry were implemented. The state export support program, a moratorium on business inspections, and affordable agricultural loans with interest rates of 3–10% improved financing conditions for winemakers. Major players such as ShampanVinkombinat, which holds over 50% of the market, joined forces with Kantvino to invest in reconstruction, while new entrepreneurs entered the market and expanded product ranges.

In 2023, rising prices for food and alcoholic beverages dampened consumer demand, contributing to a further decrease in market volume. At the same time, the low share of domestic wine on the local market—around 1.5%—stimulated investment in import substitution, supported by ongoing state loan programs and cluster investments in the Chui region.

Production grape wine in Kyrgyzstan

In kind, 2018-2021, K l

Top producers of grape wine, 2018-2021

World map of production of grape wine, 2018-2021

Grape wine production in Kyrgyzstan increased in 2021 after two consecutive years of decline. The country produced 2 316 thousand liters that year, marking a 15.1% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production actually decreased by 58.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 25.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 2 012 thousand liters, when output fell by 47.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, K l

Exports grape wine from Kyrgyzstan

Exports in kind, K l

Grape wine exports from Kyrgyzstan declined for the second year in a row in 2021. Shipments totaled 133 thousand liters, representing a 57.5% decrease from 2020. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 47.3%, averaging an annual decline of 19.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 334 thousand liters, when exports surged by 31.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan was the primary destination for Kyrgyzstan's grape wine exports, accounting for 89.3% of total export volume. The remaining 10.7% was distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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

Export values showed significant volatility during this period. The minimum value was recorded in 2021 at 193 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 76.2% decline from the previous year. In contrast, the peak occurred in 2020 at 810 thousand US dollars, when values increased by 23.1%. This created a substantial difference, with the 2020 peak being 4.2 times higher than the 2021 low.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Kazakhstan dominated Kyrgyzstan's grape wine exports in value terms, representing 88.0% of total export revenue. Other markets collectively accounted for the remaining 12.0%.

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

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

Imports grape wine to Kyrgyzstan

Imports in kind, K l

Grape wine imports into Kyrgyzstan reached 1 792 thousand liters in 2021, representing a 37.1% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 9.2%, averaging 3.0% annual growth. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 307 thousand liters, when imports declined by 26.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, K l

Between 2018 and 2021, Uzbekistan, Moldova, and Georgia were the leading sources of grape wine imports to Kyrgyzstan by volume. Uzbekistan accounted for 49.6% of imports, followed by Moldova at 9.4% and Georgia at 8.0%. Together, these three countries represented 67.0% of total import 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

Grape wine import values in Kyrgyzstan increased in 2021 after two years of decline. The country imported approximately 3 224 thousand US dollars worth of grape wine that year, marking a substantial 39.1% year-over-year increase. From 2018 to 2021, import values rose by 8.6%, averaging 2.8% annual growth. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 318 thousand US dollars, when imports fell by 18.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Georgia, Italy, and Uzbekistan were among the largest suppliers of grape wine to Kyrgyzstan in value terms. Georgia accounted for 19.0% of import value, Italy for 15.6%, and Uzbekistan for 12.1%. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 46.7% of total import value, indicating a broadly diversified supplier base.

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

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