New Markets, More Processing: How Kazakhstan's Agro-Exports Are Developing

Kazakhstan continues to actively develop the export of agro-industrial products. At a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, current results and measures to further expand supplies to foreign markets were discussed.

Export Growth: Key Indicators
Over the past five years, the volume of agro-industrial complex (AIC) exports has increased by 51%, reaching $5.1 billion. Kazakhstan supplies products to 66 countries, with the share of processed agricultural products already accounting for 52%. The main export markets remain Central Asian countries, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Iran, Turkey, China, and the European Union.
In 2024, agricultural exports amounted to 16.1 million tons, which is 3.9% more in physical terms compared to the previous year. The most in-demand products include wheat, barley, flax seeds, beef, lamb, frozen fish, flour, sunflower oil, cotton fiber, and carbonated water.

Record-Breaking Grain Exports
Particular attention at the meeting was given to grain exports. In 2024, 8.1 million tons of grain were exported abroad. Between September 2024 and March 2025, supplies of the new harvest to Central Asia, China, Afghanistan, and Europe reached 6.3 million tons, marking a 53% increase compared to the same period previously.
Exports to Iran grew significantly, with 741,000 tons delivered – a 17-fold increase from the previous year. Azerbaijan also saw record shipments, receiving 408,000 tons, the highest volume in the past five years (previously, exports did not exceed 4,000 tons).

Processed Products: Higher Volumes, New Markets
The export of processed products grew by 14.9%, reaching $2.7 billion. In recent years, its share in total exports has increased from 42% to 52%, highlighting the added value of Kazakhstan's agricultural products. Key export items include vegetable oil, confectionery, sausages, beef, and lamb.
With the increase in sunflower oil production and expanded acreage for oilseeds, the government has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to develop support measures for sunflower seed producers.

New Agreements and Access to Chinese Markets
Kazakhstan continues to expand cooperation with international partners. Agreements on plant quarantine and protection have been signed with Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, China, and CIS countries. More than 2,400 Kazakhstani enterprises have been included in China’s importer registry, supplying safflower meal, peas, lentils, and rapeseed to the market.
In 2025, China is expected to open its market for beet pulp, while in 2026, for rice, mung beans, cotton, and melons. Additionally, a new agricultural product inspection laboratory accredited to international standards will soon be launched in East Kazakhstan Region, facilitating exports to China.

Veterinary Security and Standards
Strengthening veterinary control has been another important focus. Kazakhstan has successfully lifted restrictions on foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza in several regions, allowing the resumption of meat exports to Armenia, China, Russia, and Belarus. Additionally, new export opportunities have opened for Turkey.
The country is actively developing the production of horse meat and poultry meat. It is expected that domestic demand for chicken will be fully met in the coming years, creating new export opportunities. As a result, potential markets for horse and poultry meat are being explored.

Expansion of Exporter Registries
A major step forward has been increasing the number of Kazakhstani enterprises approved for international markets. The registry of third countries now includes 324 companies, while the EAEU registries list over 3,100 enterprises.
Following the meeting, Serik Zhumangarin instructed officials to enhance cooperation with China to accelerate the removal of trade barriers on several agricultural goods and actively explore new export destinations for Kazakhstan's agricultural products.