Kazakhstan is bolstering its role in international markets by focusing on agricultural processing and enhancing exports of value-added products. China and Central Asian nations have become key destinations for these exports, together accounting for over half of the exports in 38 rapidly expanding product categories.
China’s purchases amounted to $913.9 million, representing 27.4% of the total exports in these categories. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan collectively accounted for $825.7 million, or 24.8%. Exports to Russia and other members of the Eurasian Economic Union accounted for 13.5% and 10.4%, respectively.
The agricultural processing sector has been instrumental in driving export growth. From January to August, Kazakhstan’s processed agricultural exports reached $3.04 billion, a 35.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Processed products now make up 54.1% of Kazakhstan’s total agricultural export value.
Significant contributions to this growth came from grain and oilseed products. Flour exports rose by 23% in volume to 1.38 million tons, generating around $400 million. Sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oil exports increased by 49% to $673 million, while shipments of rapeseed and mustard oil more than doubled to $90 million.
Other agricultural exports also saw substantial growth, with beef exports rising by 78% to $164 million and animal feed meal exports increasing by 61% in value to $578 million.
To further enhance its processing industry, Kazakhstan is planning six significant investment projects valued at approximately $4 billion. These projects, with a combined annual processing capacity of 5.8 million tons, will focus on producing starch, gluten, amino acids, and bioethanol. The expansion aims to reduce reliance on raw material exports, bolster domestic manufacturing, and improve the competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s processed products in the global market.