Kyrgyzstan opens US$10M dairy plant to cut reliance on imports

KYRGYZSTAN – Kyrgyzstan is set to strengthen its domestic dairy sector with the launch of Nukura Pro, a US$10 million dairy processing facility scheduled to start operations in August 2026.

Financed by the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund (RKDF), the plant is designed to produce 1,000 tons of milk and 100 tons of cream each month, with products expected to be roughly 30% cheaper than imported alternatives.

Artem Novikov, Chairman of the RKDF Board, said the facility will satisfy up to 25% of Kyrgyzstan’s domestic dairy demand while creating pathways for exports to neighboring Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries.

“The plant reflects our strategic goal of reducing import dependency while fostering value-added processing in the agricultural sector,” Novikov added.

Nukura Pro is equipped with advanced processing lines and Tetra Pak packaging technology, delivering pasteurized milk with a 28-day shelf life and ultra-pasteurized products that can last up to nine months.

The project supports Kyrgyzstan’s National Development Program 2030, which emphasizes transitioning agriculture from raw commodities to high-value processed goods.

The plant will generate 70 direct jobs and support around 1,000 smallholder farms in the Chui region, providing local farmers with stable demand and fair pricing.

Industry experts see such investments as essential for stabilizing domestic dairy markets and mitigating risks associated with global supply fluctuations.

Kyrgyzstan’s dairy sector has grown steadily in recent years. The country has approximately 1.2 million dairy cattle and produces around 1.5 million metric tons of milk annually, processing 600,000 metric tons domestically.

Key outputs include 8,500 metric tons of cheese and 3,000 metric tons of milk powder and whey, with major operators including Ak-Sut, Bishkek-Sut, Kant Agribusiness, and the Kyrgyz Meat and Dairy Plant.

Exports are also on the rise. In 2023, dairy exports reached US$35 million, compared with US$10 million in imports.

Butter exports to Russia increased 18% in 2024, while milk and cream exports to Uzbekistan totaled 100 tons, valued at US$104,000.

In the first five months of 2025, Kyrgyzstan exported 16,462 tons of dairy products, including cheese, butter, and powdered milk, making it the fourth-largest importer of Russian cheese and curd.

With Nukura Pro, Kyrgyzstan aims to boost domestic production, reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen its position in regional dairy markets, offering affordable, high-quality milk and dairy products to local consumers while expanding export potential.

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