Milled rice and broken rice market in Kyrgyzstan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the milled and broken rice market in Kyrgyzstan expanded from 27.9 thousand tons to 36.5 thousand tons. This growth was supported by increased production in the Batken region, a key area with a daily turnover worth tens of millions, and by the rising popularity of Uzgen rice, which became a recognized national brand boosting demand for quality local varieties. The growing consumption led to a surge in imports, which peaked at 11.8 thousand tons in 2019 before a temporary correction in 2020.

In 2022, the market size contracted to 33.3 thousand tons, coinciding with India's export ban on rice, which drove up global prices and constrained import availability. Production also declined partly due to these global price pressures. By 2023, the market recovered to a record 39.0 thousand tons as domestic demand for quality rice, including Uzgen varieties, remained strong, stimulating both local output and imports, which exceeded 10.8 thousand tons.

In the following years, imports continued to rise, reaching 14.3 thousand tons in 2025, indicating sustained strong consumer demand, while exports remained modest at no more than 1.3 thousand tons.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Kyrgyzstan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2018-2021

Kyrgyzstan's production of milled rice and broken rice has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 29 357 tonnes, marking an 8.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 19.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Kyrgyzstan

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan exported 1 009 tonnes of milled rice and broken rice, a decrease of 1.7% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 1 026 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 93.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia and Iraq were the key partner countries for exports in kind, together accounting for 85.0% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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 market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values hit their minimum in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 1.9 times. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan exported 417 thousand US dollars of milled rice and broken rice, a slight decrease of 3.6% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 432 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 83.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia and Iraq were the main destinations for exports in value terms, jointly taking 80.8% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Kyrgyzstan

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import levels dropped to their lowest in 2018 and rose to a high in 2019, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan imported 8 171 tonnes of milled rice and broken rice, a significant increase of 70.2% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 11 753 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 59.2%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a growth of 226.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan and Russia remained the principal directions for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 85.9% of total flows, with other partners each holding significantly smaller shares.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import values fell to their minimum in 2018 and climbed to a maximum in 2019, a 2.8-fold shift. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan imported 6 617 thousand US dollars of milled rice and broken rice, indicating an improvement of 75.1% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 617 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline was in 2020, with a decrease of 58.2%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 180.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan and Russia remained the key partner countries for imports in value terms, with a combined share of 84.4% of total flows, while other partners accounted for the rest.

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

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