Due to the actions of Kazakhstani railway workers, gasoline prices in Kyrgyzstan may rise.

The national company "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" will raise freight transportation tariffs by 16% starting March 7. Concerns are growing in Kyrgyzstan that this increase may lead to higher prices for imported fuel, according to Orda.kz.

https://orda.kz/iz-za-kazahstanskih-zheleznodorozhnikov-v-kyrgyzstane-mozhet-podorozhat-benzin-398661/2025-02-28 07:31:03

“This is not the first increase in transit tariffs from Kazakhstan. Throughout 2024, tariffs have risen five times, resulting in an overall increase in transit costs of 31%,” reminds Economist.kg.

At the same time, the ruble is strengthening, and since the Kyrgyz economy is closely tied to Russia's, this also poses risks for rising prices. Following the increase in gasoline prices, as is usually the case, most consumer goods are expected to become more expensive as well.

Meanwhile, the AFM has just reported that it uncovered a scheme for smuggling Kazakh gasoline—fuel was being illegally sent specifically to Kyrgyzstan. This is far from the first such incident. Kazakhstan plans to extend the ban on the export of petroleum products for another six months, which was implemented due to widespread gasoline smuggling to neighboring countries. According to law enforcement agencies in Kazakhstan, up to 45,000 tons of fuel are illegally exported abroad each month.