Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov gave the Cabinet of Ministers one month to consider a ban on the production and import of energy drinks and six months to take regulatory action. He announced the directive on Facebook on November 5, 2026.
Japarov cited doctors’ warnings about excessive consumption and pointed to the cost to the state of treating illnesses he attributed to the drinks. Figures in his announcement put consumption at about 36 million liters in the first half of 2026, roughly two-thirds of the 54 million liters consumed in all of 2025. Kyrgyzstan produced about 25 million liters in 2025 and imported more than 29 million liters.
Tax and customs revenue from the industry totaled 1.104 billion soms ($12.6 million) in 2025 and 996.7 million soms ($11.4 million) in the first half of 2026. Japarov said preliminary estimates suggest a ban on production and imports could reduce tax revenue by about 1.5 billion soms ($17.2 million).
A separate bill drafted by lawmaker Erulan Kokulov was put out for public comment on November 5. It would ban sales of nonalcoholic energy drinks to anyone under 18, covering stores and food outlets as well as online sales and deliveries. Sellers would have to request identification if they were unsure of a customer’s age and refuse the sale without proof that the buyer was at least 18.
Couriers would have to verify recipients’ ages on delivery and could not leave energy drinks at the door. Sellers would remain responsible for compliance even when using a third-party delivery service. The bill would also ban sales through vending machines.
Selling energy drinks to a minor would carry fines of 10,000 soms ($114) for individuals and 35,000 soms ($400) for companies and other legal entities. For a repeat violation within a year of the first penalty, the fines would rise to 20,000 soms ($229) and 55,000 soms ($629), respectively.
In March 2026, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Health proposed raising the excise tax on energy drinks from 6 soms (0.07)to20soms(0.23) per liter. The ministry cited the drinks’ high sugar and caffeine content and the health risks for teenagers.
