Kyrgyz MP raises concerns over Uzbek rice smuggling

A member of Kyrgyzstan’s parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, Burun Amanova, said local farmers are suffering losses because rice is being smuggled into the country from neighboring Uzbekistan. She raised the issue during a parliamentary session.

According to Amanova, farmers from the Ok-Turpak district contacted her to complain that cheap rice was being illegally imported from Uzbekistan.

“They cannot compete with the imported rice and are therefore incurring losses. They also say the rice being brought in may even come from China. What measures is the government taking to resolve this issue?” Amanova asked a government representative.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry Bakyt Torobayev said this was the first time he had heard about rice smuggling.

“I will speak with border guards, and we also have phytosanitary control. We will strengthen measures in this area. In addition, I would like to note that recently the Uzbek minister contacted me requesting 32,000 tons of rice due to a shortage. I told them we would not be able to supply such a quantity,” Torobayev added.

According to Kyrgyzstan’s National Statistics Committee, rice production in the country increased significantly in 2025 to nearly 56,000 tons (milled weight). This is about 17% higher than in 2024, when production stood at 48,000 tons.

Although Kyrgyzstan is known for its rice, especially Uzgen rice, the country still relies on imports to fully meet domestic demand. Rice imports increased by 48% in the first half of 2025. On an annual basis, about 12,000–15,000 tons of rice were imported, mainly from Kazakhstan, Russia, Pakistan and India.

Kyrgyzstan is also increasing exports. Rice exports to Uzbekistan in particular rose by nearly 3.7 times in 2025.