Kyrgyzstan is among the countries expected to experience the highest growth in food prices in 2026. A study by Visual Capitalist, a data visualization platform, says.
The research is based on new forecasts from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which indicate that Kyrgyzstan will face considerable inflationary pressure next year. The country ranks 14th globally in terms of projected sharpest increases in food prices.
Key figures for Kyrgyzstan and the region
Experts predict that food inflation in Kyrgyzstan will reach 9.4 percent in 2026, well above the global average of 3.2 percent.
Neighboring Kazakhstan ranks 9th with a forecasted increase of 12.7 percent. Across Europe and Central Asia, average food inflation is expected at 4.2 percent, making Kyrgyzstan’s indicators one of the highest in the macro-region.
Global context
Countries facing the steepest food price increases are:
- Iran — 55.9 percent
- Argentina — 33.2 percent
- Turkey — 25.1 percent.
By comparison, food prices in the United States are projected to rise by just 2.7 percent, and in Canada by 4.3 percent. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to see the lowest average increase at around 1 percent.
Causes and risks
FAO experts note that in developing countries, food prices continue to be influenced by currency fluctuations, import dependence, and supply chain disruptions. High food inflation places additional strain on household budgets, as food remains a major expense for most citizens.
Despite a general slowdown in global inflation compared to previous years, conditions remain uneven across the 160 countries studied. For millions of people in «red zone» countries, including Kyrgyzstan, food vulnerability will persist in 2026.
At year-end 2025, inflation in Kyrgyzstan reached 9.4 percent, exceeding the National Bank’s target range of 5–7 percent. Since the beginning of 2026, as of February 16, it has already reached 1.8 percent (9.6 percent in annual terms). Government measures so far have had limited impact.
International forecasts for Kyrgyzstan in 2026:
- Asian Development Bank — 7.8 percent
- Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development — 6.4 percent
- Eurasian Development Bank — 8.3 percent.
