Kyrgyzstan Expands Agricultural Exports to China

The Kyrgyz government has marked a significant milestone in its bilateral trade with China by dispatching the first 23-ton shipment of dried apricots to the Chinese market. This move comes after China approved Kyrgyz dried apricots for import, following the country's compliance with Beijing's sanitary and quarantine standards. The development is seen as a major step in expanding agricultural exports to China, with the potential for broader trade in fruit and vegetable products. The milestone follows the signing of a bilateral agreement to construct a food safety and quarantine laboratory in Bishkek, which will test agricultural goods destined for China to ensure they meet the country's stringent import regulations.

Key Takeaways:

• The first 23-ton shipment of dried apricots has been dispatched from Kyrgyzstan to China, marking a significant step in expanding agricultural exports to the country.
• The shipment follows China's approval of Kyrgyz dried apricots for import, after the country's compliance with Beijing's sanitary and quarantine standards.
• The milestone marks a major achievement in the development of bilateral trade between Kyrgyzstan and China, with trade growing by 44.7% in 2024 to $5.3 billion.
• Exports from Kyrgyzstan to China surged to $2.04 billion in 2024, a 93-fold increase compared to 2023.
• Agriculture has emerged as a key area of bilateral cooperation, with trade in agricultural products between the two nations totaling $153.3 million in 2024, up by $33 million from the previous year.
• Kyrgyz authorities are seeking to expand the list of approved exports, with negotiations underway to finalize four additional protocols with China covering dried fruits, cattle hides, meat, and animal feed.
• Officials see China's rising demand for agricultural imports as a major opportunity for Kyrgyz farmers and exporters, with the country continuing to invest in infrastructure and quality assurance systems to support trade growth.

Statistics:

• The first shipment of dried apricots weighed 23 tons.
• China's approval of Kyrgyz dried apricots for import is a significant step in expanding agricultural exports to China.
• Bilateral trade between Kyrgyzstan and China grew by 44.7% in 2024 to $5.3 billion.
• Exports from Kyrgyzstan to China surged to $2.04 billion in 2024, a 93-fold increase compared to 2023.
• Trade in agricultural products between Kyrgyzstan and China totaled $153.3 million in 2024, up by $33 million from the previous year.
• Deputy Prime Minister Bakyt Torobayev noted that trade between the two nations will continue to grow, with the aim of reaching $10 billion in bilateral trade by 2027.

Sources:

• Kyrgyz Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry
• Kyrgyz government press release
• "Kyrgyz-Chinese trade grows 44.7% in 2024 to $5.3 billion," Kyrgyz news agency AKIpress
• "Kyrgyzstan to finalize four additional protocols with China on agricultural exports," Kyrgyz news agency 24.kg