From January to September 2025, the volume of foreign trade in Kyrgyzstan reached $11 billion 269.8 million, which is a decrease of 8.3 percent compared to the same period in 2024, when this figure was $12.1 billion. In the first eight months, a more significant decline was observed — 10.1 percent. This data was presented by the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic.
According to information from the National Statistical Committee, the decline in foreign trade volumes is associated with a reduction in export supplies by 25.66 percent (amounting to $2 billion 134.2 million) as well as a decrease in imports by 3 percent, which in monetary terms amounts to $9 billion 135.6 million.
Kyrgyzstan continues to be dependent on imports, which account for 82.4 percent of the total trade turnover of the country.
It is important to note that in 2025, the government repeatedly imposed restrictions on the export of various goods, including scrap metal and livestock, as well as on the import of certain categories of goods. These measures have undoubtedly affected the volume of foreign trade, especially in the export sector.
Reasons for the Decline in Exports
According to the National Statistical Committee, a significant reduction in export supplies occurred in the following categories:
- live animals — a decrease of 8.2 times;
- footwear — a decrease of 4.3 times;
- waste and copper scrap — a decrease of 2.8 times;
- ferrous metals — a decrease of 1.6 times;
- gold — a decrease of 27.9 percent;
- textile clothing — a decrease of 26.2 percent;
- equipment and mechanical devices — a decrease of 21.3 percent;
- measuring instruments and devices — a decrease of 16.9 percent;
- vegetables and root crops — a decrease of 15.2 percent;
- land transport vehicles and their parts — a decrease of 10.3 percent;
At the same time, there is an increase in exports in the following categories:
- ores and concentrates of precious metals — an increase of 1.7 times;
- coal — an increase of 18.4 percent;
- plastics and products made from them — an increase of 16.3 percent;
- lignite (brown coal) — an increase of 13.8 percent;
- fruits and nuts — an increase of 7.9 percent;
- ceramic products — an increase of 7.7 percent;
- knitted clothing — an increase of 2.7 percent.
Factors for the Decline in Imports
The decrease in import supplies compared to January-September 2024 is mainly associated with a reduction in the volumes of supplies:
- knitted fabrics — a decrease of 1.9 times;
- equipment and mechanical devices — a decrease of 1.6 times;
- clothing and accessories — a decrease of 1.5 times;
- land transport vehicles and their parts — a decrease of 23.4 percent;
- meat and meat by-products — a decrease of 10.6 percent;
- cereal crops — a decrease of 6 percent.
However, there is also an increase in import supplies:
- vegetables and root crops — an increase of 1.8 times;
- products made from ferrous metals — an increase of 1.8 times;
- ferrous metals — an increase of 1.6 times;
- footwear and its parts — an increase of 47.8 percent;
- rubber and products made from it — an increase of 41 percent;
- wood and products made from it — an increase of 40.7 percent;
- measuring instruments and devices — an increase of 39.2 percent;
- electrical machines and equipment — an increase of 36.1 percent;
- water, including mineral and carbonated with sugar — an increase of 35.5 percent;
- tobacco products — an increase of 35 percent;
- plastics and products made from them — an increase of 34.3 percent;
- chemical fibers and threads — an increase of 32.9 percent;
- natural and liquefied gas — an increase of 26.6 percent;
- various food products — an increase of 23.5 percent.
Trade with the EAEU
The situation in trade with the EAEU countries for Kyrgyzstan is also not optimistic. The trade volume decreased by 5.3 percent compared to January-September 2024, amounting to $3 billion 845.8 million for nine months.
Exports in this direction fell by 39.2 percent, totaling only $827.7 million, while imports, on the contrary, increased by 11.8 percent, amounting to $3 billion 18.1 million.
The largest share of Kyrgyzstan's mutual trade with EAEU countries came from Russia (65.8 percent) and Kazakhstan (31.8 percent).
