Kazakhstan Secures FMD-Free Status
Kazakhstan has been officially recognized as free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) across its livestock sector, becoming the only country in Central and Eastern Asia to receive the designation. The achievement is expected to enhance the country’s agricultural export opportunities and expand access to international markets. Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov announced the development during a government meeting on agricultural development chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on June 5 in the North Kazakhstan Region.
The status was granted during the 93rd General Session of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) held in Paris in May. The recognition marks a significant milestone for Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector, which authorities view as an important contributor to economic diversification and rural development.
Prime Minister Bektenov emphasized that agriculture remains a strategic priority for the government due to its role in ensuring food security, supporting economic growth, and improving living standards in rural areas.
The announcement comes amid continued growth in Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, crops were planted on 23.8 million hectares this year, an increase of 180,000 hectares compared to 2025. The government has also continued efforts to diversify agricultural production through the expansion of oilseed and fodder crop cultivation.
Livestock production maintained positive growth during the first four months of 2026. Meat production reached 338,000 tons, up 3.4% year-on-year. Beef production increased by 6.1%, while lamb and horse meat output rose by 8.1% and 3.8%, respectively.
Officials attributed part of the sector’s progress to ongoing investments in veterinary infrastructure and animal health programs. Over the past two years, approximately 600 veterinary facilities worth 9.1 billion tenge (US$17.7 million) have been constructed, while state veterinary laboratories have undergone modernization. The government has allocated 66.2 billion tenge (US$129 million) from the national budget to support veterinary services and infrastructure.
The latest achievement comes amid broader expansion across the agricultural sector. Processed products now account for more than 51% of Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports, reflecting efforts to increase value-added production. Investment in agriculture reached 1.6 trillion tenge (US$3.1 billion), exceeding the previous year’s level.
Over the past two years, Kazakhstan commissioned 540 agricultural facilities, including livestock complexes, dairy farms, grain storage facilities, vegetable warehouses, poultry farms, and food-processing enterprises.
Photo credit: primeminister.kz
