Flour deficit in Talas region of Kyrgyzstan occurred due to the fact that the region consumes only Kazakh products, which are smuggled in. Rustam Zhunushov, president of the Association of Millers of Kyrgyzstan, told at a press conference.
He noted that they often receive calls with questions about possible shortages of flour due to the closure of the border with Kazakhstan. «We’ve had three revolutions, a pandemic. Each time the borders are closed, there is a food crisis, including flour. We have been knocking on the doors since 2016, appealed to the government. Our market is overtaken by smuggling, which led to the closure of a large number of mills. In 2020, there were only 7 mills, there are 27 today. The increase occurred due to the nullification last year of the VAT rate on import of raw materials. We were able to increase the production of flour and fodder,» he noted.
Rustam Zhunushov explained that the government introduced such a mechanism for only one year. «But during this time it is hard to restore production. Therefore, we would like to ask the Cabinet of Ministers, the president to extend the measure for three more years. This will enable domestic millers to provide the country with products by 60-70 percent,» the head of the Association added.
According to him, at present, flour mills have stocks of flour and grain to provide the population for 1.5-2 months.
Rustam Zhunushov added that the association plans to send domestic flour to Talas region.
