Kazakhstan Enforces Beef Export Quotas for the First Half of 2026

On the eve of the New Year, December 31, 2025, an updated regulation governing the allocation of export quotas for beef came into force in Kazakhstan. The restrictive measures apply to shipments both to third countries and to member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The new mechanism will remain in effect for six months, through June 30, 2026.

Under the approved rules, the total export quota for the specified period has been set at 20,000 tonnes. A key feature of the new regulation is the strict eligibility criterion for exporters: access to quotas is granted exclusively to meat-processing enterprises that operate their own feedlots. In this way, the regulator aims to stimulate the processing of domestically sourced livestock and exclude intermediaries lacking a production base from export flows.

The methodology for calculating the allowable export volume is directly linked to the scale of operations. The larger the applicant’s feedlot capacity, the greater the share of the national quota it may receive. The allocation structure is as follows:
• Enterprises operating feedlots with a capacity of at least 5,000 head are entitled to export up to 1,000 tonnes of beef.
• Feedlots designed for 10,000 head provide an export quota of 2,000 tonnes.
• For farms with livestock numbers of 15,000 head or more, the limit is increased to 3,000 tonnes.
• Facilities with a capacity of 20,000 head may qualify for 4,000 tonnes of export products. The maximum quota — 10,000 tonnes per legal entity — is reserved for the largest agricultural formations whose feedlots are capable of accommodating at least 50,000 head of cattle at one time.

The introduction of these rules reflects a strategic course toward market consolidation and support for large-scale, vertically integrated meat processors. Linking export quotas to the availability of a proprietary raw material base (feedlots) places agro-holdings capable of controlling quality at all stages — from cattle raising to slaughter and processing — in a privileged position. For market participants, this serves as a clear signal of the need to invest in livestock infrastructure in order to maintain export potential in 2026.