Kyrgyzstan records strong growth in dairy exports in early 2026

Kyrgyzstan exported 11.8 thousand tonnes of dairy products in January–April 2026, marking a 16.7 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. As reported by Akchabar, a partner of TV BRICS.

A notable rise was observed in fermented dairy products, including kurut and kymyz – traditional Central Asian dairy beverages. Kurut is a dried fermented cheese made from strained yoghurt, while kymyz is a fermented mare’s milk drink widely consumed in nomadic cultures. Exports in this category increased sharply from 3.6 tonnes to 116.5 tonnes. Whey shipments also showed positive dynamics, reaching 164 tonnes over the reporting period.

At the same time, Kyrgyzstan has expanded its presence in international markets with a broader range of dairy goods. Exports included 17.6 tonnes of skimmed goat milk powder, 2.2 tonnes of milk-based beverages, and 1.6 tonnes of cream, reflecting the development of higher value-added product categories.

Traditional dairy segments recorded mixed performance during the period. Volumes of butter, powdered milk, cheese, and ice cream declined compared with the previous year, indicating a redistribution of export structure across product groups.

Overall, the dairy sector maintained positive momentum, supported by the introduction of new items to external markets. The source notes the ongoing expansion of export assortments continues to reinforce the industry’s development trajectory.