In 2020, Kyrgyzstan faced a 20 per cent decline in the commodity turnover. Whereas exports declined by 1.1 per cent only during the coronavirus pandemic, imports fell by 26.2 per cent or 1.3 billion dollars.
Indicators of the foreign trade turnover from January to June 2021 show the growth from 2.7 to 3.3 billion dollars. If we compare biannual figures of the last three years, this year imports returned to the pre-pandemic level, while exports, vice versa, declined by 8.9%.
From 2018 to 2020, export directions in Kyrgyzstan remained almost unchanged. The leader by volumes was Great Britain, followed by Kazakhstan and Russia.
By results of the first six months of 2021, the top three countries to buy goods from Kyrgyzstan were the same, with a few changes in the bottom of the list.
As to imports, the list has not changed. The main suppliers of goods to Kyrgyzstan are Russia, Kazakhstan and China.
Moreover, imports of medicines increased by 11 per cent in 2020, and imports of ferrous materials by almost 37 per cent. Supplies of particular foodstuffs and washing supplies reduced. Whereas, imports of vegetables and flour increased slightly. Imports of apparel decreased almost 3 times in 2020, and imports of footwear decreased four times, but this year it is recovering. The volumes of supplies in 6 months of 2021 have already reached the 2020 indicators.
The first six months of 2021, according to the National Statistical Committee, show the increase in pharmaceutical imports (by 11 per cent). Rice, sugar, fruit and vegetable exports are also increasing. However, exports of flour, tea, grain, as well as bakery products decline.
In the exports of Kyrgyzstan, gold holds the biggest share, and in 2020 its supplies increased by 18 per cent. This year, its supplies declined twice. In 2020, exports of fertilisers, tobacco and tobacco goods, as well as fruit and nuts decreased.
Six months of 2021 have shown decrease in exports of fertilisers, fruit and nuts. However, exports of tobacco and tobacco goods, scrap metal, cement and bakery products recover.
Title photo: profinance.ru
This publication was produced as part of the mentorship programme under the Development of New Media and Digital Journalism in Central Asia project delivered by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) with support from the UK Government. It does not necessarily reflect the official views of IWPR or the UK Government