Maize flour and cereals market in Kyrgyzstan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, production of maize flour and cereals in Kyrgyzstan increased from 132.1 thousand tons to 143.1 thousand tons. This initial growth aligned with the adoption of the Concept for Organic Agricultural Production Development for 2017-2022 and the Export Development Program for 2019-2022, which aimed to boost agricultural output. Furthermore, a moratorium on business inspections from January 2019 to January 2022 reduced administrative burdens on producers, facilitating higher production volumes.

Output then entered a period of decline, falling to 140.1 thousand tons in 2020, 137.6 thousand tons in 2021, and 133.5 thousand tons in 2022. The decrease in 2020 was directly linked to low grain yields within Kyrgyzstan caused by soil depletion, poor seed quality, and a lack of adapted varieties, which constrained the raw material supply for milling. The drop in 2022 was exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and high import dependency, which disrupted logistics and production processes.

Production rebounded significantly in 2023, reaching 150.4 thousand tons. While external factors continued to influence the market, the recovery occurred alongside notable regional developments, including a record grain harvest in Kazakhstan during the 2022/23 season, which improved grain availability in the region, and shifts in processing trends such as increased corn starch production in neighboring markets.

Production maize flour and cereals in Kyrgyzstan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

Kyrgyzstan's production of maize flour and cereals has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 137.6 thousand tons, marking a 1.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production grew by 4.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was reached in 2019, with 143.1 thousand tons. That year also saw the largest increase, at 8.3%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the most significant decline, with production dropping by 2.1%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Kyrgyzstan

Market analysis indicates that Kyrgyzstan did not export any maize flour and cereals between 2018 and 2021.

Imports maize flour and cereals to Kyrgyzstan

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Kyrgyzstan's imports of maize flour and cereals rebounded in 2021. The country imported approximately 746.5 tons that year, representing a 17.6% increase from 2020. Over the broader period from 2018 to 2021, however, imports fell by 18.3%, averaging an annual decline of 6.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020, at 634.7 tons, which also saw the steepest drop of 27.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia was the primary and nearly exclusive source for Kyrgyzstan's imports of maize flour and cereals in volume terms, accounting for 94.8% of the total.

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

In 2021, Kyrgyzstan imported maize flour and cereals worth 161.9 thousand US dollars, a 40.4% decrease from 2020. Over the four-year span from 2018 to 2021, imports in value terms declined by 25%, with an average annual reduction of 9.1%. The peak value was observed in 2020, at 271.4 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 38.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Russia and Kazakhstan dominated the market for Kyrgyzstan's imports of maize flour and cereals in value terms, together representing 99.7% of total imports.

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

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