Kyrgyzstan expands carrot farming to fight food inflation
Rising vegetable prices push Kyrgyz authorities to limit potato exports and boost domestic carrot production to stabilize supply
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (MNTV) — Kyrgyzstan is ramping up efforts to combat rising food prices, focusing on core staples like potatoes and carrots to ensure stable domestic supply and prevent inflation from squeezing households.
According to The Times of Central Asia, authorities are holding steady on potato cultivation while significantly expanding carrot farming this season—particularly in the northern Chui region, where 223 hectares have been added for a second harvest. The move comes amid sharp price hikes in local markets, driven in part by increased regional demand.
Kyrgyz potato farms currently span over 64,000 hectares, with 2025 yields projected to exceed 1.1 million tons—well above the country’s annual consumption of around 760,000 tons.
While the surplus enables exports, officials have warned growers against unchecked expansion driven by short-term profit motives. A glut, they say, could crash domestic prices and harm rural incomes.
To safeguard essential food supplies, agricultural authorities have put in place daily price monitoring. In the event of domestic shortages or market manipulation by middlemen, temporary export restrictions may be reimposed.
“Expanding carrot production will help cushion the impact of rising prices,” Agriculture Minister Bakyt Torobaev said during a recent visit to farming sites in Chui.
Kyrgyz vegetables have become increasingly popular across the region. Uzbekistan, in particular, has emerged as the top importer of Kyrgyz potatoes, with volumes doubling in 2024 to 68,500 tons. That surge triggered brief export controls last year to avoid domestic shortfalls.
Beyond Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan exports over 10,000 tons of potatoes annually to Kazakhstan, with smaller shipments reaching Russia and Azerbaijan. But the balancing act between export gains and domestic food security remains delicate—especially as global supply chains remain volatile and climate pressures threaten harvest predictability.
By tightening control over key crops and adjusting production targets, Kyrgyzstan hopes to keep staple foods accessible and affordable for its population without undermining its growing agricultural trade footprint.
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