Tazabek investigates what lies behind the prices — ranging from 32 to 48 soms per liter — and how this disparity affects the future of the entire industry. At stake are the profitability of over 900,000 cows, the incomes of hundreds of thousands of farming families, and the prices on store shelves for 7 million consumers.
Milk Production in Kyrgyzstan
According to the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic, as of February 1, 2026, the country produced 86,878.4 tons of raw milk, which is 2.1% more than in the same period of 2025 (85,105.3 tons). Growth is observed in all seven regions, although the rates vary.
The Chui region leads, producing 28.5% of the total milk volume in the country. Combined with the Issyk-Kul region, these two areas account for nearly half (47.6%) of the national production. At the same time, Bishkek and Osh show a significant decline in volumes: 14.4% and 26.2% respectively, which is related to ongoing urbanization and the reduction of household farms.
Cattle Population: Southern Regions by Quantity, Northern by Quality
As of the end of 2025, the total cattle population in the Kyrgyz Republic was 934,259 heads. The distribution of the herd across regions demonstrates an important paradox of the industry.
Jalal-Abad and Osh regions together contain 44.6% of all cows, exceeding 416,000 heads. However, these regions exhibit the lowest productivity. The average milk yield in Jalal-Abad region is 68.7 kg, while in Osh it is 94.7 kg, whereas the average national figure reached 111.7 kg.
At the same time, Chui and Issyk-Kul regions, with only 32.1% of the total population (300,000 heads), produce 47.6% of the milk. This is explained by a higher quality breed composition, better feed, and a higher standard of livestock maintenance.
The difference in productivity between regions reaches almost threefold: a cow in Chui region produces 190.8 kg of milk per month, while in Jalal-Abad it is only 68.7 kg. Interestingly, Jalal-Abad region showed the highest increase in milk yields (+8.7%), which may indicate improvements in the feed base and herd renewal in the south.
Purchase Price: 32–48 Soms per Liter
The purchase price for raw milk is a primary source of discussion in the industry. According to the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, as of early 2026, the price for a base fat content of 3.4% ranges from 32 to 48 soms per liter.
However, the actual price that farmers receive is often lower. This is related to the fat content of the milk. The base price is set for milk with a fat content of 3.4%, and when recalculated based on actual figures, the situation changes.
For example, if the purchase price is 36 soms per liter for milk with a fat content of 3.4%, and a farmer delivers milk with a fat content of 2.8%, then their actual price will drop to 29.64 soms per liter — 18% lower than the base. Conversely, with a fat content of 4.2%, one of the factories may pay up to 49.35 soms per liter.
Torobaev explained the prices at which dairy factories buy milk from farmers.
At the plenary session of the Jogorku Kenesh on February 11, 2026, Deputy Aysarkan Abdibaeva raised questions about low purchase prices. Deputy Prime Minister Bakyt Torobaev provided specific figures: one dairy factory buys milk at 49.35 soms per liter with a fat content of 4.2% and at 33.82 soms with a fat content of 3%. Another factory pays 51.68 soms and 36.47 soms respectively.
“At the time when everyone was buying at 35 soms per liter, a decision was made to link the cost of raw milk to its fat content. Each dairy factory has a corresponding table,” emphasized Bakyt Torobaev.
Processors' Opinions
Dairy factories continue to insist that a sharp increase in purchase prices could lead to systemic risks. In 2024, at a meeting with processors and suppliers from Talas, Chui, and Issyk-Kul regions, a threshold of 40 soms per liter was discussed. At that time, enterprises warned:
—The cost of 1 liter of pasteurized milk (2.5% fat) may increase by 20–30%. The price of a kilogram of butter may rise by 10–20%. Price increases will affect the entire range of dairy products, which could lead to the closure of some dairy enterprises. Milk suppliers may also reduce their activities.
These concerns remain relevant. Processors point to the problem of raw material quality: from one liter of milk obtained by farmers, on average only 600 ml becomes a pasteurized product. This means that if a factory buys a liter for 40 soms, the actual cost of raw materials for producing 1 liter of finished milk is about 66.7 soms. When adding processing, packaging, logistics, and margin costs, the retail price inevitably rises above 90–100 soms.
Among the specific problems mentioned by factories is the uncontrolled use of veterinary drugs by farmers, which affects the quality and safety of milk. The Ministry of Agriculture proposed creating independent laboratories to determine the quality and composition of milk, but the implementation of this project has not yet occurred.
Situation as of March 15: What is Happening Now
On March 11, 2026, a working meeting was held at the Antimonopoly Regulation Service under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce regarding the establishment of base prices for raw milk by regions of the Kyrgyz Republic.
As a result of the meeting, the need for a transparent approach to price formation was emphasized to support farmers and stimulate the development of the dairy industry. The Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry committed to improving cooperation with interagency working groups.
According to Cabinet Resolution No. 724 dated December 4, 2024, such groups determine base prices twice a year: for the winter period — by September 15, and for the summer — by March 15. Thus, only a few days remain until the deadline.
In the Jogorku Kenesh, the possibility of regulating prices for meat, milk, and beans was discussed.
Another regulatory mechanism is also being created in the Jogorku Kenesh. At a meeting of the Finance Committee, Deputy Kamila Talieva inquired whether the Antimonopoly Service would be able to control prices for meat, milk, and beans. The head of the agency, Aibek Mamyraliev, confirmed that the relevant draft law would be presented to parliament soon.
“The new legislative initiative proposes a change in the approach to pricing for socially significant products,” noted Aibek Mamyraliev, head of the Antimonopoly Regulation Service.
Recall that pasteurized milk with 2.5% fat content is included in the List of socially significant goods, for which temporary state price regulation may be introduced (Cabinet Resolution of the Kyrgyz Republic dated September 8, 2023, No. 455).
Deputy reported on the low purchase price of raw milk.
Amid discussions about prices in parliament, other important issues are also being raised. Deputy Meder Chotonov, during the discussion of the law "On Breeding in Animal Husbandry," noted that the low purchase price of milk annually threatens the profitability of farming enterprises. Deputy Chyngyz Azhibaev proposed measures to curb cattle smuggling in Batken region, while Deputy Saltanat Amanova emphasized the need to increase lending to farmers to expand the herd.
Systemic Problems in the Dairy Industry
Behind the disputes over prices lie structural problems that cannot be resolved solely through price regulation.
The majority of raw milk in Kyrgyzstan is produced in peasant households and personal subsidiary farms. As the Ministry of Economy emphasizes, this directly affects quality: unlike organized farms, where there are unified rations, maintenance standards, and veterinary control, individual farms often do not comply with any of these conditions.
The difference in milk yields between Chui (190.8 kg) and Jalal-Abad (68.7 kg) regions is due not only to geographical and climatic factors but also to differences in the genetic potential of the herd. The law "On Breeding in Animal Husbandry," which is currently being considered by the Jogorku Kenesh in its second reading, aims to create a legal framework for improving the breed composition.
Moreover, there is no independent quality control system. The acceptance of milk and its parameters is carried out by the processing enterprises themselves. Farmers are effectively deprived of the opportunity to conduct independent checks and, consequently, to contest the price recalculation.
