ASTANA – Kazakhstan exported 16.1 million tons of agricultural products worth $5.1 billion in 2024, a 3.9% increase from the previous year, according to a report from the Prime Minister’s press service on March 19, 2025. This surge in agricultural exports is part of Kazakhstan’s strategic plan to enhance its position in the global agricultural market.
This announcement came during a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin, who emphasized the growth of agricultural exports over the past five years. Vice Minister of Agriculture Yerbol Taszhurekov highlighted that exports have climbed by an impressive 51%, reaching 66 countries in total.
The report noted that processed agricultural products account for 52% of these exports. Key markets for these goods include Central Asia, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Iran, Türkiye, China, and the European Union. Notably, grain exports contributed significantly to this figure, totaling 8.1 million tons in 2024.
From September 2024 to March 18, 2025, Kazakhstan was able to ship 6.3 million tons of harvest grain. Exports to Iran saw an extraordinary increase, rising 17-fold to reach 741,000 tons, making it a standout market for Kazakhstan's agricultural sector. Similarly, shipments to Azerbaijan reached 408,000 tons, marking the highest exports to that country in the last five years.
Processed agricultural exports also rose notably, increasing by 14.9% to total $2.7 billion. These products encompass a diverse array of goods, including vegetable oil, flour-based confectionery, sausages, beef, and lamb. Zhumangarin has made it clear that the government is keen on supporting sunflower seed producers as demand continues to rise.
To support these aspirations, Kazakhstan has entered into several plant quarantine and protection agreements with countries such as Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Iran, China, and various CIS countries. This has facilitated the entry of more than 2,400 Kazakh enterprises that are now registered to export products such as safflower meal, peas, lentils, and rapeseed to China.
Furthermore, in a move that could enhance trade relations, China is expected to approve imports of beet pulp in 2025, with additional provisions for rice, mung beans, cotton, and melon crops slated for approval in 2026. To help support these exports, a new agricultural inspection laboratory in East Kazakhstan, constructed by China and compliant with international standards, is set to open in the first half of 2025.
In his remarks, Zhumangarin urged officials to accelerate negotiations with China to remove existing trade restrictions and to explore new export opportunities. This follows recent lifted restrictions on foot-and-mouth disease and avian flu in several regions, allowing for the resumption of meat exports to Armenia, China, Russia, and Belarus.
Kazakhstan is also investigating further export markets for horse meat and poultry. As Zhumangarin stated, "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."
This focus on expanding into new markets is reflected in the increased number of enterprises involved in foreign exporter registries, with 324 currently registered for export to third countries and more than 3,100 in EAEU registries. Such strategic initiatives are fundamental for meeting future agricultural export goals.
Overall, Kazakhstan's agricultural sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, characterized by significant growth in exports and the diversification of markets. The established relations and agreements with other nations, alongside domestic production boosts, are paving the way for Kazakhstan to become a formidable player in the global agricultural landscape.
Today's competitive environment and ongoing global agricultural trends will continue to shape Kazakhstan’s future in the export arena. As the country strives to further develop its agricultural capabilities, the emphasis on quality and market access will undoubtedly play pivotal roles in future successes.
