Kyrgyzstan is taking significant steps to boost its fish processing industry with the launch of two new fish processing plants in the country’s northern Chui region. Construction of the plants commenced on August 23 and was officially inaugurated with ceremonies attended by Bakyt Torobayev, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry. The first plant, located in the village of Leninskoye, is a major investment with a projected cost exceeding $4.3mn. Once completed, this facility will have an annual processing capacity of up to 3,000 tons of fish products primarily trout. Additionally, the plant will be capable of producing up to 8,000 kilograms of black sturgeon caviar annually.
The second plant, which is being built in the village of Ak-Jol, will also contribute substantially to the region’s fish processing capabilities. It is expected to create 45 new jobs, providing a significant boost to the local economy. The Ak-Jol facility will have an annual production capacity of 1,000 tons of chilled trout, 1,000 tons of frozen trout, 800 tons of smoked fish and 400 tons of dried fish.
Kyrgyzstan's fish industry has shown promising growth, currently producing around 30,000 tons of fish annually. However, only about 5,000 tons of this production is exported. Minister Torobayev emphasized the potential for significant expansion, noting that the country has the capacity to produce 105,000 tons of fish annually with the possibility of exporting up to 50,000 tons. To achieve this potential, Torobayev recommended focusing on the construction of more processing enterprises, which could increase both production and export volumes.
In 2023, Kyrgyzstan produced 33,600 tons of fish and exported 5,556 tons of fish and fish products. The primary export markets for Kyrgyzstan’s fish products include Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Lithuania. The new processing plants are expected to enhance the quality and quantity of products available for export, potentially opening up new markets. Fish farming in Kyrgyzstan is largely concentrated in artificial ponds and fishery farms, particularly around the country’s major lakes, Issyk-Kul and Son-Kul.
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