BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 9. Kyrgyzstan's trade turnover with Italy remained broadly stable from January through May 2026, as higher imports offset a sharp decline in exports.
According to data from Kyrgyzstan's National Statistical Committee, bilateral trade totaled $39.85 million during the first five months of the year, compared to $40.27 million in the corresponding period of 2025. Overall trade turnover declined by 1% year-on-year.
Italy accounted for 0.6% of Kyrgyzstan's total foreign trade during the reporting period.
Kyrgyzstan's exports to Italy fell sharply by 85.8% to $218,000, down from $1.53 million a year earlier. Italy's share in Kyrgyzstan's total exports remained below 0.1%.
Meanwhile, imports from Italy increased by 2.3% year-on-year to $39.63 million, compared to $38.74 million from January through May 2025. Italy accounted for 0.7% of Kyrgyzstan's total imports.
As a result, Kyrgyzstan recorded a trade deficit of $39.41 million with Italy during the reporting period.
Overall, Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover reached $6.26 billion from January through May 2026, up 1% compared to the same period last year.
Exports declined 9.3% year-on-year to $847.1 million, while imports increased 2.8% to $5.41 billion.
Furthermore, the country's overall trade deficit stood at $4.56 billion during the first five months of the year.
According to Trend's analysis, trade with Italy remained relatively stable despite a significant decline in Kyrgyz exports. The resilience of bilateral turnover was largely supported by continued demand for Italian goods, with imports continuing to grow even as exports weakened substantially.
The trade structure highlights the asymmetrical nature of bilateral economic relations, with imports accounting for the overwhelming majority of total turnover. This suggests that Italy continues to play a more important role as a supplier to the Kyrgyz market than as a destination for Kyrgyz exports.
Looking ahead, stronger bilateral trade growth will likely depend on Kyrgyzstan's ability to diversify and expand its exports to Italy while maintaining stable import flows. Broader business cooperation and greater market access for Kyrgyz products could contribute to a more balanced trade relationship over time.
