BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 25. Kyrgyzstan sharply
reduced imports of hard coal from Kazakhstan during the first five
months of 2026, with both volumes and import value falling by more
than 68% year-on-year.
According to data from Kyrgyzstan's National Statistics
Committee, the country imported 67,470 tons of hard coal from
Kazakhstan from January through May 2026, down 68.6% from 215,227
tons in the corresponding period of 2025.
The value of these imports totaled 269.7 million soms
(approximately $3.08 million), compared to 1 billion soms
(approximately $11.5 million) a year earlier. This represents a
decline of 73.1% in som terms and 73.2% in U.S. dollar terms.
According to Trend's analysis, the value of imports fell more
sharply than physical volumes, indicating that the average import
price per ton of Kazakh coal declined compared with the same period
last year. This may reflect lower coal prices, changes in contract
terms, or a shift toward lower-grade supplies.
Kazakhstan remains one of Kyrgyzstan's principal external
suppliers of coal within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU),
although the latest figures point to a significant reduction in
purchases from the neighboring country.
The decline may also reflect increased reliance on domestic coal
production, optimization of existing fuel inventories, or lower
seasonal demand, while Kyrgyzstan continues efforts to diversify
its energy mix and strengthen energy security.
