Imports: Cheese dominates and condensed milk soars

Two countries accounted for the bulk of cheese and cottage cheese shipments:

Russia: 647.7 tons worth $2,708 million;

Belarus: 638.7 tons worth $2,980 million.

Imports of condensed and powdered milk showed the most dynamic growth.

In the first quarter, Kyrgyzstan purchased 1,075 tons of these products for $2,595 million. Compared to last year, condensed milk imports increased 6.6-fold (a year earlier, imports amounted to only 161.8 tons worth $331,200). The main supplier is Belarus.

The sharp growth in condensed milk and dry milk shipments from Belarus may indicate a shortage of domestic raw materials for the confectionery and processing industries within the country.

Exports: Fermented milk products retain their position

Against the backdrop of rising imports, the dairy industry’s export figures show stability in the fermented milk products segment (buttermilk, yogurt, kefir). Over three months, producers shipped 2,759 tons worth $2,521 million to foreign markets, which is 8 percent higher than the volume in the first quarter of last year. Almost all of the products were shipped to Kazakhstan.

At the same time, exports of domestic cheeses and cottage cheese declined: 732.7 tons ($2,372 million) were shipped to foreign markets, compared to 896.3 tons a year earlier.