Kazakhstan's Agricultural Export Growth
Kazakhstan's exports of processed agricultural products reached $3.04 billion in the first eight months of 2026, marking a 35.1% increase from the same period last year, according to Qazinform News Agency.
Processed products accounted for 54.1% of Kazakhstan's total agricultural export value, highlighting the country's focus on higher-value-added goods.
Grain processing remains a key driver of this growth, with grain and flour exports reaching a record 16 million tons in the 2025/2026 marketing year.
From January to August 2026, Kazakhstan exported 1.38 million tons of wheat and wheat-rye flour, up 23% year-on-year, with revenue rising by 36% to approximately $400 million.
The vegetable oil sector also saw strong growth, with exports of sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils rising by 49% to $673 million. The value of rapeseed and mustard oil exports more than doubled to $90 million.
Other agricultural exports also recorded significant increases:
- Feed flour exports rose by 61% in value to $578 million, with shipments reaching 2.5 million tons.
- Beef export revenue climbed by 78% to $164 million, with volumes growing by 13% to 29,000 tons.
- Exports of oilseed processing byproducts, including oilcakes and meals, increased by 42% to $113 million.
To sustain this growth, the Ministry of Agriculture provides support through:
- Preferential loans
- Investment subsidies
- Tax incentives
Between 2024 and 2026, approximately 230 billion tenge was allocated to finance working capital for agricultural processing enterprises.
Kazakhstan is also investing in advanced grain processing, with six major projects worth approximately $4 billion underway. These projects are expected to boost domestic production of starch, gluten, amino acids, and bioethanol.
Several facilities are already operational or under construction:
- The Kazkrakhmal plant, with an annual capacity of 150,000 tons of corn, began operations in Turkistan region this year.
- The first phase of Fufeng Group's production complex was completed in Zhambyl region.
- Projects in Akmola region are also progressing.
To meet growing demand for raw materials, Kazakhstan has expanded its corn cultivation area by 60% to 106,000 hectares.
These investments, coupled with government support, aim to:
- Increase exports of finished and advanced processed agricultural products
- Reduce reliance on raw material exports
- Strengthen Kazakhstan's position in international markets.