The total volume of meat product imports amounted to 19,391.5 tons.

Shipping structure: Poultry and beef

Four countries supplied the bulk of poultry meat (18,765.1 tons in total) to the republic:

China — 8,969.3 tons worth $7.2 million;

Russia — 4,385.3 tons worth $6 million;

Beef imports occupied a secondary, but important, niche. Imports of fresh or chilled beef from Belarus totaled 65.4 tons, valued at $347,400.

The main suppliers of frozen beef were India (176 tons, valued at $352,000), Belarus ($119,700), and Russia ($68,000).

Russia was the republic’s main supplier of pork (150.3 tons, valued at $344,800).

Exports: Meat products in foreign markets

Export figures for Kyrgyzstan’s meat products remain subdued amid strong domestic demand. Over the three months, the following were exported:

fresh or chilled beef to Russia — 65.4 tons, valued at $365,600;

frozen beef to Belarus — 20 tons, valued at $80,300;

poultry meat and by-products to Kazakhstan — 164 tons, valued at $197,100.

Imports of finished meat products are occurring amid declining supplies of live cattle. In the first quarter, cattle purchases decreased by 73.4 percent, to 2,902 heads ($802,500). Experts note that importers prefer to import finished, processed products, which simplifies logistics and reduces veterinary risks.