The Association for the Development of the Agricultural Sector of Kyrgyzstan has issued a statement to citizens, government bodies, and the media regarding the false information about the company LLC 'Rikha' that has started to spread in the public domain.
At the meeting of the Budget, Economy, and Entrepreneurship Committee of the Jogorku Kenesh on January 19, 2026, accusations were made against LLC 'Rikha' concerning the revocation of its license, violations of accreditation, and non-compliance with 'Halal' standards. These statements were quickly picked up by several media outlets, leading to significant public outcry and damage to the company's reputation.
In response, the Association decided to clarify the situation.
1) At present, LLC 'Rikha' has not received any official notifications from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic or other authorized bodies regarding the revocation of any permits or identified violations.
2) It is also necessary to use terminology correctly. The production and sale of meat products do not require licensing, and private manufacturing enterprises do not undergo state accreditation; only product certification procedures are applied.
3) 'Halal' certification is voluntary, and currently, LLC 'Rikha' holds valid certificates issued by authorized organizations of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Kazakhstan, including:
- Certificate from the Center for the Development of the Halal Industry (Kyrgyz Republic) No. C25;
- 'Halal' Certificate from the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan No. KG 2206/0925;
- Certificate from Halal Damu (Kazakhstan) No. 001295.
4) Laboratory tests conducted at an accredited institution showed that the products of LLC 'Rikha' do not contain pork DNA, as confirmed by test protocols.
The Association emphasizes that the dissemination of unverified information without official confirmations harms not only the individual company but also the entire processing industry. In the context of state support for national production, such incidents undermine consumer and business partner trust.
The Association monitors the situation in the agricultural market and the information background surrounding domestic producers. There have been previous instances where distorted data caused public pressure and reputational risks for businesses. Therefore, the Association considers it important to clarify facts and legal aspects of such situations in a timely manner.
It should be noted that reputational threats extend beyond the domestic market, and any false public statements quickly spread to neighboring markets, creating a negative backdrop for the entire domestic food and processing industry.
The Association calls on all participants in the discussion to act responsibly and publish information only when official documents and confirmed inspection results are available.
The Association also appeals to government bodies with a request to:
- provide an official clarification on the current situation;
- refute false information if it lacks documentary confirmation;
- ensure the correct communication of the state’s positions to the public and the business community.
The Association of Agricultural Producers of the Kyrgyz Republic will continue to defend conscientious domestic producers, advocating for legal, documented, and professional communication on issues related to consumer trust and the business reputation of the country.
