Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry has stated that there are no grounds for restricting potato imports from China.
The announcement follows reports that the domestic market has been flooded with Chinese potatoes allegedly being sold as locally produced goods.
In response, the ministry’s Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control Service conducted monitoring of potato sales in Bishkek and Osh. According to officials, imported Chinese potatoes are present on the market, but no confirmed cases were identified in which such products were falsely labeled as local produce.
Currently, the average retail price of imported Chinese potatoes ranges from 38 to 40 soms per kilogram, while locally grown potatoes are sold at prices of around 42 to 44 soms per kilogram.
The ministry also noted that Kyrgyzstan’s obligations under the World Trade Organization framework limit the scope for imposing unilateral import restrictions. Officials emphasized that agricultural trade between Kyrgyzstan and China is mutual, with Kyrgyz products also being exported to the Chinese market.
In addition, the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control Service has advised domestic potato farmers to accelerate sales of stored produce. Some producers are reportedly holding stocks in warehouses in anticipation of higher prices. However, the service believes that price increases are unlikely as the arrival of the new harvest is expected to boost supply. Officials warned that prolonged storage may lead to spoilage and financial losses.
In related developments, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced the start of corn exports to China. The first shipment, totaling 25 tons, departed on March 16.
The export became possible following the signing of a protocol on phytosanitary requirements for corn exports from Kyrgyzstan to China between the Kyrgyz Ministry of Agriculture and China’s General Administration of Customs. To date, two Kyrgyz enterprises have been authorized to export corn under this framework.
Trade between Kyrgyzstan and China continues to expand. According to Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Liu Jiangping, bilateral trade turnover reached $27.2 billion, representing a 20% increase and a record high. He also noted that China’s imports from Kyrgyzstan grew by 86%.
