In January-May 2026, trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan increased by 4% compared to the same period last year, reaching $721.4 million.
According to the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, bilateral trade volume for the first five months of 2026 amounted to $721.38 million, compared to $693.36 million in the same period of 2025.
Kazakhstan accounted for 11.5% of Kyrgyzstan's total foreign trade turnover, maintaining its status as one of the country's key trading partners.
Kyrgyzstan's exports to Kazakhstan grew by 13.1% year-on-year to $182.91 million, up from $161.79 million a year earlier. Kazakhstan accounted for 21.6% of Kyrgyzstan's total exports, remaining one of the largest markets for the republic's products.
Meanwhile, imports from Kazakhstan increased by 1.3% to $538.47 million, compared to $531.57 million in January-May 2025. Kazakhstan accounted for 10% of Kyrgyzstan's total imports during the reporting period.
Despite higher export growth rates, Kyrgyzstan maintained a negative trade balance with Kazakhstan. The trade deficit stood at $355.56 million, as imports continued to significantly exceed exports.
Overall, Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover in January-May 2026 grew by 1% year-on-year to $6.25 billion, compared to $6.19 billion a year earlier.
The country's total exports decreased by 9.3% to $847.1 million, while imports increased by 2.8% to $5.41 billion. As a result, the overall foreign trade deficit widened to $4.56 billion.
The latest statistics indicate that trade with Kazakhstan grew at a faster pace than Kyrgyzstan's overall foreign trade: bilateral turnover expanded four times faster than the country's total foreign trade turnover. Notably, shipments to Kazakhstan increased despite an overall decline in Kyrgyz exports, pointing to sustained demand from the Kazakh market. With more than one-fifth of Kyrgyzstan's total exports going to Kazakhstan, the republic continues to play a key role in supporting Kyrgyzstan's export sector, despite the continued predominance of imports and the negative bilateral trade balance.