Kyrgyzstan is considering restricting imports of aquaculture feed from Europe as part of a broader effort to support domestic producers and reduce the sector’s dependence on foreign supplies.
The initiative was unveiled by the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, which has drafted a regulation aimed at limiting the inflow of imported fish feed into the domestic market for the next six months.
According to the Ministry’s explanatory note, the proposed restrictions are intended to strengthen national food security and encourage the development of local feed production capacity. Officials argue that the aquaculture industry’s heavy reliance on imported feed exposes producers to currency volatility, supply-chain disruptions and rising costs.
Rapid aquaculture sector growth
Although still relatively small, Kyrgyzstan’s aquaculture sector has been expanding rapidly in recent years, supported by the country’s abundant freshwater resources, including rivers, reservoirs and Lake Issyk-Kul. New fish farms have been established across several regions, with rainbow trout emerging as the dominant farmed species, alongside carp and a limited number of other freshwater fish. As production volumes grow, feed supply has become one of the sector’s most critical inputs.
The adoption of the draft resolution should contribute to the development of domestic feed production, the creation of new jobs, increased investment activity, and higher tax revenues, as well as strengthening the country’s food security,” – Kyrgyzstan’s ministry of agriculture.
Reliance on imported aquafeed
According to the Ministry, domestic fish farms remain heavily dependent on imported feed, particularly for trout farming, which requires high-protein, industrially produced pellets. In 2023, Kyrgyzstan imported around 12,900 tonnes of aquaculture feed. Imports declined to 6,900 tonnes in 2024 but rebounded to 10,200 tonnes in 2025.
Value-chain analyses indicate that most rainbow trout farms rely on commercially manufactured feeds imported primarily from Europe and Russia. Carp producers, by contrast, are more likely to source feed domestically, often using farm-made or locally blended feed mixes. Still, even local feed production depends on imported components such as fishmeal, vitamins and premixes.
Countries affected by restriction
Under the draft regulation, imports from member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Russia and Kazakhstan, would be exempt from the proposed ban. As a result, the measure would mainly affect supplies originating from the European Union, which currently accounts for a significant share of high-quality trout feed used in Kyrgyzstan.
Benefits and possible risks
The Ministry says the initiative could yield multiple benefits. “The adoption of the draft resolution should contribute to the development of domestic feed production, the creation of new jobs, increased investment activity, and higher tax revenues, as well as strengthening the country’s food security,” the ministry said.
Officials also noted that similar policies have been adopted in other countries, where import restrictions helped stimulate domestic aquafeed production, reduce currency risks and support long-term industry sustainability.
However, the proposal carries risks. Kyrgyzstan’s aquaculture has historically relied on imported feed, and local production capacity remains limited. Experience in neighbouring Russia illustrates the challenge: despite heavy investment in domestic aquafeed research and production, imports still accounted for 80–90% of feed for high-value species in 2025. Russian fish farmers frequently complain that locally produced feed does not yet match European products in consistency and performance.
