Kazakhstan is a country with significant agricultural potential, which remains largely untapped. This sector accounts for about 3.9% of GDP and 12.1% of the country's employment structure. Kazakhstan has one of the most extensive agricultural areas in the world, exceeding 2 million km2. At the same time, the country experiences an acute shortage of water for irrigation due to the predominance of arid lands in Kazakhstan. Thus, the territory is classified as a risky farming zone, which negatively affects crop yields and production.
The country's agricultural sector is based on crop production, which is mainly carried out in the northern regions, which have the highest quality soil and a favorable climate. However, the segment remains poorly diversified: wheat accounts for most of the gross harvest. In 2024, 18.6 million tons of this crop were produced, accounting for more than 70% of the country's total gross grain harvest. In addition, oilseed production, particularly sunflower seeds, is a significant sector: in 2024, 1.8 million tons were produced. The country also grows significant volumes of potatoes (2.6 million tons in 2024), melons and gourds (2.5 million tons), sugar beets (1.3 million tons), and raw cotton (301,700 tons).
The livestock sector also plays a significant role in Kazakhstan's agriculture. Both beef and dairy cattle farming are well developed in the central and southern parts of the country. In 2024, 3.6 million tons of raw milk, primarily cow's milk, were produced. The main types of meat produced are beef (429,300 tons in 2024) and poultry (360,000 tons). In 2024, 4.46 billion chicken eggs were also produced. In addition, Kazakhstan produces large quantities of horse meat: in 2024, the volume was 170,900 tons. Sheep and goat meat production amounted to 148,800 tons, and pork production amounted to 50,200 tons.
The fishing industry is relatively underdeveloped: in 2024, fish and seafood production amounted to 63.2 thousand tons.
In 2024, Kazakhstan's imports of agricultural products reached a record high of US$6.8 billion, which is US$587.1 million (or 9.5%) more than in 2023 and US$2.7 billion (or 65.7%) higher than in 2020. During 2020–2024, the country's purchases of agricultural goods increased by an average of 13.5% annually. Over the past five years, the republic has most significantly increased its imports of wheat, chocolate and flour confectionery products, as well as beet and cane sugar.
Imports of agricultural products from Kazakhstan are highly diversified. In 2024, wheat accounted for the largest share of the country's purchases, at 5.6% of the total volume or US$381.4 million. The top five most popular imported agricultural products on the local market also included chocolate confectionery (5.5% or US$371.7 billion), beet and cane sugar (5.1% or US$345.8 million), flour confectionery and bakery products (5.0% or US$339.7 billion), and non-alcoholic beverages, except water and juices (3.1% or US$208.5 million). In total, the 10 key commodity items accounted for 35.9% of total national imports of agricultural products in value terms in 2024.
In 2024, the most notable increase was in Kazakhstan's imports of chocolate confectionery (+26.1% or +$76.9 million), flour confectionery and bakery products (+23.5% or +$64.6 million), and beet and cane sugar (+17.4% or +$51.2 million). At the same time, the country's purchases of non-alcoholic beverages, except for water and juices (-11.9% or -$28.3 million), and poultry (-0.8% or -$1.4 million) decreased.
Russia has historically been the largest exporter of agricultural products to Kazakhstan, accounting for 49.0% of all agricultural goods supplied to the country in 2024. China (5.7%) and Uzbekistan (4.1%) were also among the top three countries exporting food products to the Kazakh market at the end of the year. In total, these three countries accounted for 58.8% of all Kazakhstani imports of agricultural products in 2024, while the top 10 countries accounted for 75.0%.
The most notable growth in 2024 was in exports of agricultural products to Kazakhstan from Russia (+7.9% or +$243.7 million), Spain (5 times or +$104.4 million), and Uzbekistan (+22.0% or +$49.7 million). Russia significantly increased its supplies of beet and cane sugar (from US$203.0 million to US$277.1 million) and flour confectionery and bakery products (from US$208.6 million to US$242.1 million). Spain increased its supplies of other food products (from US$1.3 million to US$104.6 million). Uzbekistan exported 2.6 times more cabbage (from US$7.2 million to US$18.7 million) and 3.1 times more non-alcoholic beverages, except water and juices (from US$4.8 million to US$14.9 million). At the same time, Kazakhstan's imports from the US fell significantly over the year (-6.8% or -$11.4 million), with poultry meat supplies falling by 26.0% (from $87.1 million to $64.5 million).
In 2024, Kazakhstan's agricultural exports amounted to US$5.1 billion, down 4.9% from 2023. At the same time, the most significant growth (48.4%) was observed in 2022 against the backdrop of growing demand and strengthening trade and economic relations with key partners, primarily China, Uzbekistan, and Russia. Over the five years, the country increased its exports of sunflower oil, animal feed (except for dog and cat food) and non-alcoholic beverages (except for water and juices) most significantly.
The main export products of Kazakhstan's agriculture in 2024 were wheat (22.1% or US$1.1 billion), wheat or wheat-rye flour (10.0% or US$507.8 million), and sunflower oil (8.3% or US$419.8 million). At the end of the year, the 10 most popular Kazakh agricultural products on the global market accounted for 65.0% of the value of exports of national agricultural products.
In 2024, the most significant increase was observed in Kazakhstan's exports of animal feed products, except for dog and cat food (4.6 times or +$188.4 million), sunflower oil (+28.1% or +$92.0 million), non-alcoholic beverages, except for water and juices (+25.6% or +$41.0 million), and dried lentils (+35.7% or +$31.3 million). At the same time, during the same period, the country reduced its exports of wheat (-39.4% or -$730.8 million), wheat or wheat-rye flour (-12.4% or -$71.9 million), and flax seeds (-7.1% or -$16.1 million).
The main importer of Kazakhstan's agricultural products is Uzbekistan, which accounted for 28.4% of the country's exports in value terms in 2024. China (19.4%) and Russia (10.8%) were also among the top three buyers of Kazakh agricultural products at the end of the year. In total, the 10 main importing countries accounted for 90.7% of Kazakhstan's agricultural exports in 2024.
Compared to 2023, the most significant increase in the volume of purchases of Kazakhstan's agricultural products in 2024 was shown by Russia (+19.3% or +$88.5 million) and Kyrgyzstan (+19.5% or +$53.8 million). Russia increased its purchases of butter and other dairy fats by 3.5 times (from US$7.6 million to US$26.9 million) and increased its imports of ice cream by 84.0% (from US$11.4 million to US$20.9 million). In 2024, Kyrgyzstan imported 24.2% more non-alcoholic beverages, excluding water and juices (from US$92.8 million to US$115.3 million) and 3.3 times more wheat (from US$3.5 million to US$11.4 million).
At the same time, in 2024, imports from Kazakhstan by Turkmenistan (-64.9% or -$136.6 million), Afghanistan (-22.2% or -$122.3 million), and Uzbekistan (-5.3% or -$80.9 million). Compared to the previous year, Turkmenistan reduced its wheat purchases by 95.2% (from US$176.9 million to US$8.6 million). Afghanistan purchased 61.4% less wheat (from US$110.1 million to US$42.4 million) and 13.8% less wheat or wheat-rye flour (from US$368.0 million to US$317.1 million). Uzbekistan also reduced its purchases of wheat by 26.4% (from US$798.1 million to US$587.3 million) and wheat or wheat-rye flour by 14.8% (from US$165.3 million to US$140.9 million).
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