Kyrgyzstan’s Oil Exports to Afghanistan Surge 100-Fold, Strengthening Regional Energy Ties

The National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyzstan has announced a dramatic increase in the country’s oil exports to Afghanistan. According to a recent statement, Kyrgyzstan exported over 40 million liters of fuel and furnace oil to Afghanistan from January to March 2025, marking a staggering 100-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

The report highlights that the primary destination for these fuel exports was Kunduz province in Afghanistan, with the total value of the exports reaching $18.5 million during this period. In contrast, during the same timeframe in 2024, Kyrgyzstan exported only 384,000 liters of fuel to Afghanistan, valued at $212,000. This exponential growth underscores Afghanistan’s growing reliance on Kyrgyz fuel, with the country now accounting for over 90% of Kyrgyzstan’s total oil exports.

Uzbekistan ranks second as a recipient of Kyrgyz oil, importing 2.5 million liters valued at $1 million during the same period. The average price of exported gasoline is reported to be approximately $0.50 per liter. Kyrgyz authorities have emphasized that the fuel exported to Afghanistan does not originate from Russia. Under a bilateral agreement between Bishkek and Moscow, fuel imported from Russia, including grades L-92 and L-95, is designated solely for domestic consumption and is exempt from export.

The National Statistics Committee further noted that fuel is delivered to Kyrgyzstan from Kazakhstan without customs duties, helping maintain domestic fuel prices at around $0.80 per liter. The Kyrgyz Oil Traders Association clarified that the fuel exported to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan is of the L-81 grade, alongside furnace oil produced from locally sourced crude oil in southwestern Kyrgyzstan.

In 2024, Kyrgyzstan imported a total of 630 million liters of fuel valued at $277 million, primarily from Russia, with a smaller portion sourced from Kazakhstan. This significant import capacity has enabled Kyrgyzstan to emerge as a key energy supplier in the region, particularly for Afghanistan, which faces ongoing economic challenges and a high demand for fuel.

This surge in exports is seen as a milestone in Kyrgyzstan’s growing role as a vital energy partner for Afghanistan. Experts suggest that this trend reflects deeper economic integration between the two nations, driven by Afghanistan’s stable demand for fuel and Kyrgyzstan’s ability to offer competitive prices. The development also signals a shift in regional trade dynamics, with Kyrgyzstan capitalizing on its strategic position to meet Afghanistan’s energy needs.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s participation in the Astana International Forum, led by Nooruddin Azizi, acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, provides a platform to further strengthen such economic ties. Azizi’s delegation aims to attract investment and promote Afghanistan’s economic potential, which could pave the way for enhanced cooperation with Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan, particularly in energy and trade sectors