Rice market in Kyrgyzstan

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market in Kyrgyzstan showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, starting at 44 thousand tons. Initial growth was supported by an increase in the gross harvest across CIS countries, which boosted the share of locally produced rice. However, farmers began facing profitability challenges, leading to a reduction in sown areas.

Market volume contracted in 2020 as rice sales across the CIS fell by 7.9%. A recovery followed in 2021, fueled by rising global rice prices which affected domestic costs. Production and market volume then dropped in 2022 due to a severe water deficit that reduced sown areas and yields. Despite continued water shortages and a further 6.7% reduction in sown area in 2023, the market expanded to 57.5 thousand tons, while consumer prices surged by 39.9% due to water scarcity and inflation.

Throughout the period, consumer preference for the local Uzgen rice brand remained strong, sustaining demand even as its availability narrowed and prices increased.

Production rice in Kyrgyzstan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of rice, 2018-2021

Kyrgyzstan's rice production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 46 338 tons of rice, showing a modest increase of 4.2% compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 13.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

After two years of decline, Kyrgyzstan's rice production value has rebounded. In 2021, the output was valued at 23 121 thousand US dollars, up by 2.4% from 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, production value decreased by 22.9%, with an average annual decline of 8.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 22 578 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 20.2%.

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

Exports rice from Kyrgyzstan

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Kyrgyzstan exported 1 116 tons of rice in 2021, which is 14.4% lower than the previous year. The highest export volume was in 2020 at 1 303 tons, marking a significant increase of 103.6%. Overall, export levels varied by 2.9 times between the low in 2018 and the peak in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia, Iraq, and Kazakhstan were the main destinations for Kyrgyzstan's rice exports in volume terms. Russia accounted for 50.5% of exports, Iraq for 28.9%, and Kazakhstan for 12.0%. Together, these three countries represented 91.4% of total export flows.

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

After two years of growth, Kyrgyzstan's rice export value declined. In 2021, exports totaled 557 thousand US dollars, a substantial decrease of 15.9% year-over-year. Despite this drop, over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 66.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.4%. The peak was in 2020 at 662 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest rise of 50.6%.

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

During 2018-2021, Russia, Iraq, and Kazakhstan played leading roles in Kyrgyzstan's rice exports by value. Russia contributed 50.3% of export value, Iraq 22.5%, and Kazakhstan 12.5%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 85.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rice to Kyrgyzstan

Imports in kind, t

The market was characterized by volatility in these years. Kyrgyzstan imported 8 201 tons of rice in 2021, a significant improvement of 68.5% compared to 2020. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 11 884 tons, which saw the largest increase of 218.3%. The lowest was in 2018, with a decline of 59.0% recorded in 2020. Overall, import levels varied by 3.2 times between the trough in 2018 and the peak in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan and Russia were the key partners for Kyrgyzstan's rice imports in volume terms, together accounting for 84.9% of total flows. Other countries made up the remainder.

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 market exhibited an unstable trend during this timeframe. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan's rice imports amounted to 4 852 thousand US dollars, marking a rise of 73.7% year-over-year. The highest value was in 2019 at 6 667 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 177.6%. The lowest was in 2018, with a decline of 58.1% recorded in 2020. Import volumes varied by 2.8 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Kazakhstan and Russia concentrated most of Kyrgyzstan's rice imports by value, while other markets were less significant individually.

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

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