Kazakhstan Plans to Increase the Share of Processed Agricultural Products in the Agro-Industrial Complex to 70%

A meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, chaired by Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov, was held to discuss the development of the processing industry within the agro-industrial complex (AIC).

The meeting was attended by heads of subordinate organizations of the Ministry, deputy akims of regions and the city of Shymkent, representatives of regional departments of agriculture, veterinary services and fisheries, land resource management departments, as well as territorial divisions of the Ministry.

Opening the meeting, Aidarbek Saparov emphasized that agricultural product processing remains one of the key priorities for the development of Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial sector. According to him, the industry plays an important role in ensuring food security, producing high value-added products, and strengthening the country’s export potential.

“Thanks to consistent government support, farmers have gained access to financial resources and the opportunity to follow the full cycle of agricultural technologies. Today, Kazakhstan is able to meet domestic demand for the main categories of food products. In sectors that still depend on imports, efforts are underway to attract investors and create favorable conditions for new projects. Our goal is to increase the share of processed agricultural products in the agro-industrial complex to 70% and expand the production of high value-added goods,” the Minister said.

Vice Minister of Agriculture Yermek Kenzhekhanuly presented a report on the current state of the industry and its future prospects. He noted that the government is implementing preferential financing and investment subsidy programs to support processing enterprises.

During 2024–2025, a total of 196 processing enterprises received financing to replenish working capital, amounting to 131 billion tenge. Approximately 100 billion tenge has been allocated for these purposes in 2026.

In 2025, 53 investment projects worth 120.4 billion tenge were commissioned in the processing sector. Government support measures continue to contribute to industry growth. By the end of 2025, food production reached 3.9 trillion tenge, representing an increase of 8.1%.

Positive growth trends have continued this year. From January to April 2026, the industry produced goods worth 1.4 trillion tenge, which is 14.4% higher than during the same period of the previous year. Investments in fixed assets of the processing industry more than doubled, exceeding 389 billion tenge.

Exports of processed products reached USD 3.6 billion, while their share in Kazakhstan’s total agricultural exports amounted to 51.4%.

The meeting also focused on the development of deep grain processing, the oil and fats industry, the sugar sector, as well as the modernization of dairy and meat processing facilities.

Participants noted that Kazakhstan continues to maintain its leading position in global flour exports, remains among the major exporters of vegetable oil, and is steadily increasing production volumes of deeply processed grain and oilseed products.

Work is also ongoing to develop the sugar industry, wool and hide processing, and to ensure sufficient supplies of domestic raw materials for dairy and meat processing enterprises.

During the meeting, deputy akims from regions lagging behind in agricultural processing performance and project implementation presented reports on the current situation.

Summing up the meeting, Aidarbek Saparov highlighted the steady development of the processing sector and instructed responsible authorities to ensure the achievement of targets related to food production growth and the increase of processed products’ share in the agro-industrial complex, accelerate project implementation, continue enterprise modernization, and update the database of processing facilities.