NAPOC Forecasts Growth in Oil and Fat Product Exports to China to 1 Million Tonnes

The National Association of Oilseed Processors (NAPOC), together with its member enterprises, is participating in the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE), taking place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. The national pavilion features a wide range of Kazakhstan-produced oils and fats products that are in demand in the Chinese market.

Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading suppliers of vegetable oils and processed oilseed products to China. According to the results for 2025, the country ranked second among sunflower oil exporters to China and entered the top three largest suppliers of sunflower meal. In the rapeseed oil segment, Kazakhstan consistently maintained its position among the five leading suppliers in 2024–2025.

Over the past three seasons, exports of vegetable oils, meal, and oilcake to the Chinese market have increased more than 3.7 times.

At the end of the previous season, Kazakhstan supplied China with 657,000 tonnes of oils and fats products. The total value of exported goods exceeded US$438 million.

The National Association of Oilseed Processors notes that these results were achieved partly through cooperation with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company JSC (KTZ). One of the priority areas of joint work was improving the system for allocating railway shipment plans for vegetable oils exported to China through the Dostyk–Alashankou border crossing.

The Association has been working to improve this mechanism since February 2024. During this period, the fulfillment rate of agreed shipment plans exceeded 90%. By comparison, in 2023, this figure was below 40%.

The introduction of new railway transportation methods for processed oilseed products is creating additional opportunities for export development. In the spring of this year, NAPOC, together with KTZ and the China Railway Administration, began implementing a pilot project to transport granulated sunflower meal in grain hopper wagons.

According to the Association, the practical results of the project have been positive. Using this transportation method creates additional opportunities to increase export shipments of sunflower meal to China.

NAPOC forecasts that Kazakhstan's exports of oils and fats products to China will reach 1 million tonnes over the next two seasons.

The Association identifies the expansion of the raw material base, more efficient use of logistics infrastructure, and the commissioning of new oilseed processing facilities as the main factors behind the expected growth.