Kyrgyzstan's Mineral Water and Soft Drink Imports Surge in Early 2026

Kyrgyzstan has experienced a sharp rise in imports of non-alcoholic beverages during the first five months of 2026. Data from the National Statistical Committee reveals substantial increases in mineral water, soft drinks, and juices entering the country. This surge indicates a growing demand for these products within the Kyrgyz market.

In terms of sweetened and carbonated beverages, Kyrgyzstan imported nearly 119 million liters, valued at over $63.5 million. This represents a 34.3% increase in value compared to the same period in the previous year. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were the primary sources, supplying significant volumes of these drinks. Notably, imports from Uzbekistan saw a remarkable 4.27-fold increase year-on-year.

The import of sugar-free mineral and carbonated water experienced an even more dramatic surge, with a 666.3% increase in value, reaching over $10.5 million for approximately 6.5 million liters. Russia was the leading supplier for these beverages. Fruit and vegetable juice imports also saw a 44.9% increase in value, with Kazakhstan and Russia as the main partners.

Despite the increase in imports, Kyrgyzstan's exports of non-alcoholic beverages saw a slight decrease of 4.1% in value. Kazakhstan remained the main export destination. The country's overall trade balance for beverages shows a significant deficit, with imports exceeding exports by more than 19 times. The growth in imports is attributed to increased purchases of carbonated drinks from Uzbekistan and a sharp rise in mineral water imports from Russia.