Kyrgyzstan has recently formed a significant trade agreement with Ecofruit, one of Uzbekistan's leading exporters of dried fruits, heralding new opportunities for systematic agricultural exports to Europe and the Persian Gulf.
This partnership is expected to bolster Kyrgyzstan's agricultural sector, which is already known for its high-quality nuts and dried fruits. Notably, Ecofruit has expressed strong interest in Kyrgyz products such as apricots, dried uruk, prunes, walnuts, pistachios, barberries, and both white and red beans. "Among the products... are apricots, dried uruk, prunes, walnuts, pistachios, barberries, and white and red beans," stated the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy, emphasizing the high quality and ecological purity of these goods.
Currently, Kyrgyzstan’s fruit and berry production is largely dominated by dried apples, with approximately 1,000 tons recently exported to Germany. Other key importing nations for Kyrgyz dried fruits include Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Japan. With shipments now reaching the countries of the Persian Gulf and South Korea, Uzbek exporters are eager to tap this growing market. Once primarily used as ingredients, dried apples are increasingly marketed as snacks, making them appealing to broader consumer bases.
The nut segment, particularly walnuts, is also seeing positive developments. Walnuts from Kyrgyzstan, primarily grown in the renowned Arslanbob walnut forests, which span approximately 42,500 hectares, enjoy broad global demand. At the end of 2023, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy signed agreements to export walnuts to both China and Turkey, underscoring the international appeal of Kyrgyz nuts.
Ecofruit's plans to establish a representative office within Kyrgyzstan signal long-term cooperation prospects. This expansion of presence will not only facilitate trade but is anticipated to drive economic growth and investment within Kyrgyzstan’s agricultural sector. "The partnership could increase export volumes and create new trade routes, benefiting Kyrgyz farmers and agribusinesses," the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy noted, pointing to greater collaboration opportunities between the two nations.
Alongside walnuts, Kyrgyzstan is recognized for its high-quality beans, particularly from the Talas region, which has become a major production and export hub. Countries such as Turkey, Russia, India, Iran, and several European nations have already tapped this lucrative bean market. Excitingly, just this year, 16 Kyrgyz companies were registered as official bean suppliers to China, significantly broadening Kyrgyzstan's agricultural export footprint.
With Uzbekistan's Ecofruit now enhancing its focus on Kyrgyz agricultural products, the dried fruit and nut sector is poised for stronger integration within global markets. The partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Ecofruit holds promise for improving the livelihoods of Kyrgyz farmers, providing them with new export channels, and fostering economic resilience.
Overall, the future looks bright for Kyrgyz agricultural exports, as the opening of new trade routes is expected to meet increasing global demand for high-quality products from the region.