Kyrgyzstan proposes six-month ban on road exports of coal

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic proposes a temporary six-month ban on exporting coal by road transport. The draft resolution «On Some Issues of Coal Transportation» has been put up for public discussion by the Ministry of Energy.

The main goal, according to the draft, is to ensure the country's energy security, prevent a shortage of solid fuel on the domestic market in the autumn-winter period, and restrain price growth for the public. The justification notes that similar bans in 2026 proved effective, allowing socially vulnerable citizens to be supplied with coal at an affordable price.

The draft provides for several exceptions. The ban will not apply to the state company Kyrgyzkömür, and road exports will continue through the Irkeshtam–Avtodorozhny and Torugart–Avtodorozhny checkpoints on the border with China. According to the ministry, from January to 20 October 2026, about 539,000 tonnes of coal worth over 3 billion soms were exported by road via Kyrgyzkömür, generating a profit of about 126.5 million soms. The monopoly on road exports will allow the state to keep effective control over supplies abroad.