Processed products account for over 54% of Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports

Kazakhstan continues to steadily increase exports of high-value-added agricultural products. According to the results for the first eight months of 2026, exports of processed agricultural products totalled 3.04 billion dollars, representing a 35.1% increase compared to the same period last year, El.kz reports.

As a result, the share of processed products in the total value of agricultural exports reached 54.1%. Thus, over half of the agricultural sector’s export earnings are now generated by processed products. This reflects qualitative changes in the structure of Kazakhstan’s agricultural exports and the growing competitiveness of domestic products in international markets.

Grain processing remains one of the key drivers of export growth. In the 2025/2026 marketing year, exports of grain and flour, expressed in grain equivalent, reached a record 16 mln tonnes.

Between January and August 2026, Kazakhstan exported 1.38 mln tonnes of wheat flour and wheat-rye flour, valued at approximately 400 mln dollars. Compared to the same period in 2025, the volume of exports increased by 23%, while export revenues rose by 36%.

The vegetable oil and fats sector also demonstrated positive growth. Exports of sunflower, safflower and cottonseed oils increased by 49%, from 453 mln dollars to 673 mln dollars . Exports of rapeseed and mustard oils grew 2.3 times, from 40 million dollars to 90 million dollars.

Significant growth was also recorded across other product categories. Exports of feed meal increased by 61% in value terms, from 359 mln dollars to 578 mln dollars. In volume terms, supplies grew by 44%, reaching 2.5 mln tonnes.

Beef exports increased by 78%, from 92 million dollars to 164 million dollars. The physical volume of exports rose by 13%, reaching 29,000 tonnes, compared to 26,000 tonnes a year earlier.

In addition, exports of oilseed processing by-products, including oilcake and meal, increased by 42%, from 79 million dollars to 113 million dollars . In volume terms, supplies grew by 39%, from 430,000 to 597,000 tonnes.

To further strengthen the sector’s production and export potential, the Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a comprehensive package of state support measures, including concessional lending, investment subsidies and tax incentives. In 2024–2026, approximately 230 billion tenge was allocated to replenish the working capital of processing enterprises. These measures are aimed at ensuring the continuity of production processes, increasing capacity utilisation and expanding output of products in high market demand.

Particular attention is being paid to the development of deep grain processing. Currently, three specialised enterprises operate in Kazakhstan, with a combined annual raw material processing capacity of 510,000 tonnes. Over the past five years, domestic production of starch-based products has increased 2.1 times, while bioethanol output has reached 21,200 tonnes.

To further develop the sector, a portfolio of six major investment projects has been established, with a total estimated value of approximately 4 billion dollars and a combined annual raw material processing capacity of 5.8 million tonnes. Their implementation will enable the production of starches, gluten, amino acids and bioethanol, significantly expand the range of domestically produced deep-processed products and strengthen Kazakhstan’s export position.

The practical implementation of these investment initiatives is already gaining momentum. This year, the Kazkrahmal plant, with an annual maize processing capacity of 150,000 tonnes, was commissioned in Turkistan region. In Zhambyl region, the first phase of construction of a production complex operated by Fufeng Group has been completed.

Projects undertaken by Qostanai Grain Industry and Tiryaki Agro are also progressing. In addition, two new production facilities are planned to be commissioned in Akmola region. At the same time, measures are being taken to establish a sustainable raw material supply base for future enterprises. In particular, Kazakhstan’s maize cultivation area has increased by 60%, reaching 106,000 hectares.

The development of the processing industry is one of the key priorities in the structural transformation of Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial complex. The implementation of investment projects and state support measures will facilitate a gradual transition from an export model predominantly based on raw materials towards increased exports of finished goods and deeply processed products.

This will ensure stable demand for domestically produced agricultural raw materials, create additional opportunities for the development of farming enterprises, improve their profitability and contribute to the establishment of new domestic value chains.

Ultimately, expanding deep processing capacity will enable Kazakhstan not only to increase export revenues but also to strengthen its position as a reliable supplier of competitive, high-value-added products in international markets.