Lang
For the first time, Kazakhstan entered the list of the world’s top 10 sunflower oil exporters, ranking eighth in 2024.
This was announced during a roundtable held on May 15 to discuss the development of export potential in the oils and fats sector, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration.
Kazakhstan has also become one of the top three suppliers of sunflower gluten, a byproduct used in animal feed, to the European Union. This product is in strong demand across dozens of countries.
Over the past three years, the country’s sunflower oil production increased 2.5 times, while exports rose 4.8 times. Imports of packaged oil fell by 11%.
Export revenues from oils, gluten, and meal reached $562 million last season.
Kazakhstan aims to increase annual export revenue to $1 billion in the near future, supported by a gradual shift in agricultural production priorities from wheat to more profitable oilseed crops, especially sunflower.
Kazakhstan currently exports sunflower oil to Central Asian countries and China, and plans to expand into Middle Eastern markets.
The roundtable also marked the launch of work on an export roadmap for the oilseed industry for 2025–2027, aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in international markets.
Grain Exports
Kazakhstan is also strengthening its position as a major grain exporter.
From September 2024 to April 2025, the country exported nearly 10 million tonnes of grain and flour in grain equivalent, up 37.4% from the previous season.
The average annual shipment volume ranges between 7 million and 8 million tonnes.
Thanks to a record harvest last year, annual export capacity could reach 12 million tonnes by the end of 2025.
According to Deputy Agriculture Minister Azat Sultanov, one of this season’s key achievements was expansion into non-traditional markets.
He said that after a five-year pause, Kazakhstan resumed grain shipments to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.
Durum wheat exports to Italy are also growing significantly.
Kazakhstan is now entering European markets that had previously been unusual destinations, such as Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
Buyers from Morocco and the United Arab Emirates have also shown interest in Kazakh grain.
By the end of May, Kazakhstan is expected to complete its first wheat shipment to Morocco, totaling 60,000 tonnes.
A trial grain shipment of 15,000 tonnes is also scheduled for export to Vietnam.
At the same time, traditional markets continue to show strong demand.
Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, Turkey, and China have significantly increased their imports of Kazakh grain and flour.
For the first time in five years, Kazakhstan has restored grain exports to Iran and Azerbaijan, with supplies increasing tenfold.
China is showing particular interest in plant-based products, especially Kazakh feed flour.
From September to April, grain and flour exports to China reached 1.8 million tonnes, up 27% from last year.