Ministry of Agriculture revises conditions for obtaining beef export quotas

Kazakhstan has revised the conditions for obtaining export quotas for beef. The Ministry of Agriculture has introduced amendments to the order regulating the export of cattle meat from the country, easing requirements for producers.

Under the updated rules, the volume of export quotas will be determined based on the capacity of feedlots. For example, a feedlot with a capacity of 500 cattle is eligible for a quota of 100 tons; 1,000 head — 200 tons; 2,000 — 400 tons; 3,000 — 600 tons; 4,000 — 800 tons; 5,000 — 1,000 tons. Farms with 10,000 head may receive 2,000 tons, 15,000 — 3,000 tons, 20,000 — 4,000 tons, and up to 10,000 tons for 50,000 head.

The right to receive quotas remains with meat processing enterprises that use their own raw materials, as well as feedlots with a capacity of at least 5,000 head that operate under processing agreements with such enterprises.

In addition, individuals and legal entities, including export companies, may qualify for export quotas if they meet several requirements. These include having foreign trade contracts, identification of cattle using ear tags with RFID technology, and the presence of cattle aged at least 12 months registered in the livestock database, with a fattening period of no less than four months.

Additional requirements include having a registered feedlot: at least 500 head for entities with their own processing facilities, and at least 5,000 head for feedlots that either have their own processing capacity or export through third-party processors under contract.

The quota volume is calculated based on an average slaughter weight of 200 kilograms per head at the time of allocation.

It is also permitted for feedlots to accept ready livestock aged from 18 months, but not exceeding 20% of their total capacity.

It should be recalled that export quotas for beef were introduced in December 2025 to ensure the utilization of meat processing plants and stabilize domestic prices.