Kyrgyzstan May Temporarily Ban Imports of White Sugar

Kyrgyzstan is considering introducing a temporary ban on imports of white sugar. A corresponding draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic has been published for public consultation on the Unified Portal of Draft Regulatory Legal Acts.

According to the document, the restrictions are proposed for a period of six months. The ban would apply to imports of white sugar classified under EAEU Foreign Economic Activity Commodity Nomenclature codes 170199100, 1701991001 and 1701991009, both from third countries and from member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.

However, the draft resolution provides for several exceptions. The restrictions would not apply to sugar that:

• Is transported in transit through the territory of Kyrgyzstan, including movements of goods within the EAEU;

• Is imported into the country for subsequent export beyond its borders under the re-export procedure;

• Is classified as “extra” grade white sugar;

• Was dispatched to a recipient in Kyrgyzstan before the resolution enters into force, as confirmed by transport or accompanying shipping documents.

According to Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, the proposed measure is intended to create favorable conditions for marketing the new sugar beet harvest.

The ministry expects that temporarily restricting imports will help prevent the domestic market from becoming oversupplied with foreign products, maintain price stability and prevent a sharp decline in sugar prices.

Public consultation on the draft resolution through the Unified Portal of Draft Regulatory Legal Acts will continue until October 23.