In the first eight months of 2026, Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover increased by 13.3%, reaching $12.017 billion. At the same time, the National Statistical Committee recorded a significant imbalance in the structure of foreign trade: the republic's total exports increased, while shipments to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) market decreased by 9.1% to $774.4 million, 24.kg reported.
Conversely, imports from the Eurasian Five countries increased by 9.3%, reaching $3.556 billion. Kyrgyzstan's main partners in the union remain Russia (64.5% of mutual trade volumes) and Kazakhstan (32.4%).
The growing trade deficit and the declining share of the EAEU in mutual trade indicate a structural reversal in Bishkek's foreign economic relations.
The recorded gap between total export volumes and shipments to the EAEU reflects the diversification of Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade and the gradual redistribution of sales markets.
The decline in exports to traditional markets of Russia and Kazakhstan, despite overall growth in shipments, is due to stricter regulations on secondary exports, the introduction of domestic export restrictions on certain categories of goods, and a shift in focus to third-country markets (including China, Europe, and the Middle East).
For the country's economy, maintaining high imports while regional exports are declining means increasing dependence on external financing and the need for accelerated modernization of domestic non-resource production.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 15, 2026