Fuel Price Hike Hits Farmers' Bottom Line in Kyrgyzstan

The rise in fuel prices in Kyrgyzstan has led to increased production costs for farmers, affecting their ability to sell products at competitive prices. Since the beginning of July, the price of AI-92 gasoline has risen by about 7-8 KGS per liter, from 86.9 to 87.9 KGS.

Farmers like Kadyr, who grows onions, say that fuel expenses account for a significant share of the product's cost. 'If a kilogram of onions sells for 10 KGS, then 2-3 KGS go additionally to gasoline,' he says.

The increase in diesel fuel prices has also led to higher costs for agricultural services. Bolotbek Ismailov, Director of the state enterprise 'Dan', estimates that the production cost of wheat has increased from 15 to 18 KGS per kilogram, or by 20%.

The impact of rising diesel fuel prices on the production cost of agricultural products will vary depending on the crop. For sugar beet, fuel consumption amounts to about 190-195 liters per hectare, making it roughly twice as sensitive to price increases.