BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 5. Kyrgyzstan increased the value of its imports of petroleum coke and petroleum bitumen from Kazakhstan during the first five months of 2026.
According to data from Kyrgyzstan's National Statistics Committee, the country imported 36,645 tonnes of petroleum coke and petroleum bitumen from Kazakhstan from January through May 2026, down 51.4% from 75,410 tonnes in the corresponding period of 2025.
Despite the lower volumes, the value of imports rose to 1.6 billion soms (approximately $18.35 million), compared to 1.42 billion soms ($16.35 million) a year earlier. This represents an increase of 12.8% in som terms and 12.2% in U.S. dollar terms.
According to Trend's analysis, the contrasting trends in volume and value indicate a sharp increase in the average import price. While physical deliveries were cut by more than half, import spending continued to rise, suggesting significantly higher prices, changes in product specifications, or a shift toward higher-value petroleum products.
Kazakhstan remains one of Kyrgyzstan's key suppliers of petroleum products within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), with cross-border energy trade benefiting from the bloc's common customs framework.
The latest figures underscore the impact of pricing dynamics on Kyrgyzstan's energy imports, as higher import costs outweighed the reduction in purchased volumes during the reporting period.
