20.01.2025, 19:16
Kazakhstan Introduces Ban on Potato Exports
To stabilize prices in the domestic market, Kazakhstan has imposed a temporary ban on potato exports, with an exception made for EAEU countries. Current stocks are sufficient to meet domestic needs until the new harvest.
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To stabilize prices in Kazakhstan’s domestic market, the Interdepartmental Commission on Trade Issues decided to introduce a six-month restriction on potato exports, starting January 18, 2025. Exceptions are made only for EAEU countries.
The decision is based on the results of potato market monitoring, which is regularly conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade of Kazakhstan.
According to 2024 data, the total potato harvest amounted to 2.9 million tons, of which 300,000 tons were early harvests. At the same time, analysis revealed that this year, demand for Kazakhstani potatoes from neighboring countries, particularly Uzbekistan, has significantly increased. Potato exports in 2024 reached 605,000 tons, which is 50% more than the previous year (411,000 tons).
High export prices encourage farmers to send their produce abroad — shipments to Uzbekistan reached 250,000 tenge per ton. This has caused potato prices within the country to rise: over the course of a week, prices increased from 170,000 tenge to 270,000 tenge per ton.
Exports to EAEU countries will be under control. As of January 16, the issuance of phytosanitary certificates for such shipments has been temporarily suspended.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, current potato stocks are sufficient to meet domestic market demand until the early harvest of 2025. As of January 19, stocks amount to more than 850,000 tons: 600,000 tons are stored by potato-growing enterprises, 68,000 tons in regional stabilization funds, and over 200,000 tons in private farms and households. In addition, potatoes are available in retail chain reserves.
🔑 Key takeaways:
🔹 Kazakhstan has restricted potato exports for six months to avoid shortages and stabilize prices.
🔹 In 2024, potato exports increased by 1.5 times, leading to a sharp rise in domestic prices.
🔹 Current potato stocks (850,000 tons) are sufficient to fully cover domestic demand until the new harvest.