Kazakhstan Ranked Among the Top Three Sunflower Oil Exporters to China

Over the past six months, Kazakhstan has demonstrated record-high export volumes of vegetable oil and high-tech animal feed to China. According to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), from September 2024 to February 2025, animal feed shipments increased fivefold compared to the same period last year, reaching 748 thousand tons. The growth in transportation was observed both in covered railcars and containers.
Vegetable oil exports also showed steady growth: 93 thousand tons were shipped to China over six months, 19% more than in the 2023/24 marketing year and 47% more than in 2022/23. Additionally, during the same period, Kazakhstan exported 794 thousand tons of grain and 171 thousand tons of milled products to China.
KTZ emphasized that these results were achieved thanks to the coordinated efforts of railway operators from both countries, agricultural producers, and all logistics chain participants.
By the end of 2024, China purchased 115,313 tons of sunflower oil from Kazakhstan, making the country one of the top three suppliers of this product. The leading exporters of sunflower oil to China are Russia (698,452 tons) and Ukraine (245,598 tons).
The growing exports of high-value-added products highlight Kazakhstan’s successful efforts in strengthening its position in the international market, responding to the increasing demand from China.

Key Takeaways:
🔹 Record-breaking exports: In the past six months, vegetable oil exports increased by 19%, while animal feed shipments grew fivefold compared to last year.
🔹 Kazakhstan in the top 3: In 2024, China purchased 115,313 tons of Kazakh sunflower oil. The main suppliers are Russia and Ukraine.
🔹 Logistics breakthrough: Active cooperation with China has enabled a significant increase in grain, animal feed, and milled product shipments.