16:22, 28 March 2026, Bishkek – 24.kg news agency
, by Aibek SULTANOV
A construction boom and the modernization of production facilities in Kyrgyzstan drove a sharp increase in industrial imports in January 2026. A report of the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic says.
Technical import of Kyrgyzstan
Imports of base metals rose 2.3-fold to $79.7 million, while shipments of electrical machinery and equipment increased by 45.8 percent. Companies from Russia and China were the main beneficiaries of this growth.
The non-food market showed mixed dynamics. Exports of machinery and mechanical devices grew by 54.3 percent to $9.8 million, while supplies of measuring instruments fell 4.5-fold and leather goods dropped 2.7-fold.
Pharmaceutical imports also posted notable growth, reaching $20.9 million — up 18.1 percent year-on-year.
Top 5 non-food imports:
- Base metals: $79.7 million (including steel bars from Russia worth $58.8 million)
- Electrical machinery and equipment: $51.2 million (imports from China up 45.8 percent)
- Plastics and plastic products: $21.1 million
- Pharmaceuticals: $20.9 million (up 18.1 percent)
- Clothing and accessories: $6.3 million (main suppliers — China, Turkey, and Uzbekistan)
What products Kyrgyzstan sells
Exports of base metals from Kyrgyzstan increased 2.5-fold in January 2026, alongside a 2.3-fold rise in imports — a typical sign of raw material redistribution or re-export schemes within the Eurasian Economic Union.
At the same time, a 21.2 percent decline in clothing exports points to challenges in the garment industry, traditionally a major employer for women.
Top 5 non-food exports:
- Machinery and mechanical devices: $9.8 million (up 54.3 percent)
- Clothing: $5.5 million (main market — Russia, $4.4 million)
- Plastic products: $5.7 million (up 30.1 percent)
- Land transport equipment: $3.6 million (exports to Russia)
- Glass and glass products: $1.4 million
Kyrgyzstan’s total foreign trade turnover in January reached $1,052.9 billion. Imports accounted for 87.7 percent, while exports made up just 12.3 percent. The negative balance of $799.3 million highlights the republic’s high dependence on imports in the technical and industrial sectors.
