Kyrgyzstan is open to international trade, which accounts for 108% of GDP (World Bank – latest data available). The government's trade policy aims to further integrate the country into the global economy, giving exporters better access to local markets and encouraging product diversification. Kyrgyzstan mainly exports gold (18.2%), glass (11%), other precious metals (5.9%), vegetables and petroleum oils (4% each); whereas imports are led by petroleum oils (12.6%), knitted or crocheted fabrics (3.6%), medicaments (3%), telephones (2.8%), and motor cars (2.7% - data Comtrade 2021).
The main trading partners for exports are Kazakhstan (25.5%), Russia (22.9%), the United Kingdom (13.9%), Uzbekistan (10.7%), and Turkey (5.3%). Kyrgyzstan's main import origins are Russia (32.8%), China (26.8%), Kazakhstan (12%), Turkey (5.9%), and Uzbekistan (5.8% - data Comtrade 2021). Kyrgyzstan has been a member of the Eurasian Economic Union – which also includes Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Belarus - since August 2015; and a member of the WTO since 1998. The average tariff applied is 2.3% and customs duties are limited to a maximum rate of 10% (World Bank). The country has eliminated tariffs on raw materials, equipment and certain goods that it cannot produce in sufficient quantity, in order to develop the domestic industry and secure supply for the population. Nevertheless, non-tariff barriers significantly slow down trade.
The Kyrgyz Republic has a structural trade deficit: in 2021, the country exported USD 1.6 billion worth of goods (-17.3% vis-à-vis one year earlier), whereas imports expanded by 51%, to USD 5.5 billion. In the same year, the exports of services totalled USD 522 million, against USD 711 million in imports (+18.9% and 28.1%, respectively). In 2021, the overall external balance was negative by 29.8% of GDP (up from 20.9% one year earlier – World Bank). According to preliminary data released by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Kyrgyzstan’s exports of goods stood at USD 2.2 billion in 2022, whereas imports totalled USD 9.6 billion (-20.6% and +72.5% year-on-year, respectively).
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 5,292 | 4,989 | 3,719 | 5,580 | 9,629 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 1,837 | 1,986 | 1,973 | 2,752 | 2,187 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 963 | 1,021 | 604 | 740 | 1,370 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 830 | 1,083 | 428 | 522 | 1,271 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 7 | 6 | -28 | 39 | n/a |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | -3 | 16 | -27 | 16 | n/a |
Trade Balance (million USD) | -2,994 | -2,624 | -1,440 | -2,418 | -6,823 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 99 | 99 | 83 | 106 | n/a |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 67 | 64 | 52 | 68 | n/a |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 32 | 35 | 31 | 38 | n/a |
Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2022 |
---|---|
Russia | 44.1% |
Kazakhstan | 20.0% |
Uzbekistan | 10.8% |
Türkiye | 6.4% |
United Arab Emirates | 4.6% |
See More Countries | 14.1% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2022 |
---|---|
China | 42.3% |
Russia | 23.6% |
Kazakhstan | 7.8% |
Türkiye | 5.1% |
Uzbekistan | 3.8% |
See More Countries | 17.6% |
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
To go further, check out our service Import Controls and Export Controls
To go further, check out our service Import Export Flows
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data
List of tariffs and local taxes that apply to your product on our service Customs Duties and Local Taxes
Member of Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC)
Any Comment About This Content? Report It to Us.
© eexpand, All Rights Reserved.
Latest Update: November 2023