Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Exports Reach 16.1 Million Tons in 2024
Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports saw a 3.9% increase in 2024, reaching 16.1 million tons and generating $5.1 billion, according to the Prime Minister’s press service on March 19. The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin.
Key Export Markets and Growth
Kazakhstan's agricultural products now reach 66 countries, with processed goods making up 52% of total exports. The primary markets include Central Asia, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Iran, Türkiye, China, and the EU.
- Grain exports totaled 8.1 million tons, with 6.3 million tons shipped between September 2024 and March 18, 2025.
- Exports to Iran surged 17-fold to 741,000 tons, while shipments to Azerbaijan reached 408,000 tons, the highest in five years.
Boost in Processed Agricultural Products
Processed agricultural exports grew 14.9% to $2.7 billion, including:
- Vegetable oil
- Flour-based confectionery
- Sausages
- Beef and lamb
To support sunflower seed producers, Zhumangarin emphasized the need for expanded production.
China and Future Agricultural Trade
Kazakhstan has signed plant quarantine and protection agreements with Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Iran, China, and CIS countries. More than 2,400 Kazakh enterprises are registered to export products like safflower meal, peas, lentils, and rapeseed to China.
Upcoming approvals for new exports to China:
- 2025: Beet pulp
- 2026: Rice, mung beans, cotton, and melon crops
A new agricultural inspection laboratory in East Kazakhstan, built with Chinese support, will open in early 2025 to ensure compliance with international standards.
Expanding Meat Exports
Kazakhstan has lifted foot-and-mouth disease and avian flu restrictions, resuming meat exports to Armenia, China, Russia, and Belarus. The country is also exploring new markets for horse meat and poultry.
Increasing Foreign Export Registries
Kazakhstan is expanding its exporter registries:
- 324 enterprises registered for export to third countries
- More than 3,100 enterprises included in EAEU registries
Trade Negotiations and Future Growth
Zhumangarin urged officials to accelerate negotiations with China to remove trade restrictions and open new export markets, ensuring further growth in Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector.
“Our country already fully meets domestic demand for horse meat, and large poultry farms will soon cover our poultry needs. We need to start identifying export markets for these products now,” Zhumangarin said.
Photo credit: Zhaiyk Press
