The poverty level in Kyrgyzstan increased by 33 percent, urban poverty became equal to rural one. To date, 2.2 million Kyrgyzstanis live on 125 soms a day. An expert on food security Kanat Tilekeyev said at a meeting with representatives of the Association of the Agro-Industrial Complex.
According to him, food prices have risen by 46 percent. About six percent of the population is in a state close to starvation. The head of the Agro-Industrial Complex, Rustam Baltabaev, stressed that Kyrgyzstan was 80 percent dependent on food imports.
He added that the indicators on the main food products were as follows: bread and bakery products — 80 percent dependence, meat and meat products — 90 percent, vegetable oil — 90 percent, chicken eggs — 40 percent, sugar — 40 percent. There is a seasonal dependence on fruits, berries and vegetables. This figure is 40 percent.
The reasons are smuggling, lack of protection of domestic producers from imports, difficulties with sales in the domestic market, legislative initiatives against manufacturers, tightening of tax administration, high cost of raw materials, fuel and lubricants, and high interest rates on loans.
Producers also offer to provide long-term support in the form of preferences for processing enterprises, optimize the methodology for creating clusters, and increase the production and export of high-margin products. In addition, development and adoption of a program for import substitution of socially significant food products will be an important and positive moment.
