Kyrgyzstan Develops ‘Natural Kyrgyz Walnut’ Brand in Export Push

Kyrgyzstan is developing a national brand, Natural Kyrgyz Walnut, to promote its walnuts in international markets. The brand will emphasize the origin of the product in the walnut-fruit forests of southern Kyrgyzstan, with labeling and a traceability system planned to verify its provenance. The marketing plan was developed with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and presented on September 17. Kyrgyzstan harvests more than 44,000 tons of walnuts annually. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, walnut collection and sales provide income for nearly 60,000 people, primarily in the country’s southern regions. One of the best-known areas is Arslanbob in the Jalal-Abad region, home to ancient walnut-fruit forests. Arslanbob is also associated with a longstanding local legend that soldiers of Alexander the Great took walnuts from the area back to the West. The story is popular in Kyrgyzstan, although there is no historical evidence to confirm it. The FAO describes the walnut-fruit forests of southern Kyrgyzstan as among the world’s most valuable natural ecosystems. Their condition, however, is deteriorating: natural regeneration is declining, while grazing pressure, pests and diseases, land degradation, and climate change are placing additional strain on the forests. Kyrgyz walnuts are already exported to Russia, China, and European Union countries. The brand is intended to help producers distinguish Kyrgyz walnuts in export markets by emphasizing their geographical origin. The next steps will include biochemical analysis of the walnuts and an assessment of opportunities for organic certification, geographical indication registration, and the application of fair-trade standards. A geographical indication would legally establish the link between the product and a particular territory and protect its name. The branding effort comes alongside attempts to improve market access in China. The Times of Central Asia reported on September 18 that Kyrgyzstan and China had begun discussing the mutual recognition of organic certificates. Kyrgyz certification is currently insufficient for products to be marketed as organic in China, meaning the two sides will need to compare their standards and agree on technical requirements.

Kazakhstan Meat Exports Surge in 2025

Kazakh meat producers surpassed their total 2024 export figures within the first 10 months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2024, Kazakhstan boosted exports of processed beef by 1.4 times to more than 22,000 tons, and lamb by 2.2 times to 18,000 tons. These milestones were exceeded in 2025. Between January and October, beef exports rose 1.7 times year-on-year to reach 30,200 tons, while lamb exports increased 1.9 times to 25,500 tons. “This growth is due to high demand for high-quality Kazakh meat from foreign partners,” the ministry stated. In 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture implemented several measures aimed at expanding export markets and strengthening Kazakhstan’s presence in the global meat trade. Negotiations with seven countries resulted in the signing of 16 veterinary certificates. New export channels were opened for a range of products, including: Milk, beef, lamb, poultry, honey, and fish to Azerbaijan Live cattle to Mongolia Animal feed to Morocco Hides and wool of ungulates to Iran Additionally, the European Union opened its market to Kazakhstani beekeeping products. Efforts are also underway to expand exports to 12 more countries, including Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, the UAE, Jordan, and Pakistan. Discussions are ongoing with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Hong Kong regarding potential exports of dairy products, feed, and honey. The ministry highlighted veterinary welfare as a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s export strategy. A nationwide modernization program is currently in progress: 400 new veterinary stations have been constructed and 890 units of specialized equipment and machinery procured. A key development is the opening of a modern veterinary laboratory in East Kazakhstan, supported by China. This facility will help unlock exports of livestock products, including cattle hides, poultry meat, and by-products, to the Chinese market. Required protocols have been signed, and Kazakh enterprises have already passed the necessary inspections. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also preparing to enter the Turkish market, where Kazakh beef prices could be roughly double those in China.