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QazTrade, Kazakhstan's trade policy development center, has identified a potential increase of $290.1 million in the country's sunflower oil export value, driven by expanded processing capacity and greater processing depth, according to an analytical review.
Kazakh sunflower oil exports reached $707.6 million in 2025, marking a 64.5% increase over 2024. The report attributes this strong performance to a combination of capacity expansion and the identification of new market opportunities, particularly in Kyrgyzstan, as well as in the UAE, Iran, Pakistan, and Vietnam. 'Additional growth opportunities are opening up in Kyrgyzstan and through expansion into new markets — the UAE, Iran, Pakistan and Vietnam, where demand for vegetable oils remains strong,' QazTrade stated.
The principal export destinations for Kazakh oils and fats products in 2025 were Uzbekistan, with shipments up 97% year-on-year, China, up 37%, and Tajikistan, up 44%. The bulk of these supplies were transported by rail.
Kazakhstan predominantly exports refined sunflower oil, typically shipped in bulk using rail tank cars and flexitanks. Industry analysts note that this approach is more cost-effective for importers, who prefer to handle bottling and branding locally. The arrangement reduces logistics costs and allows importers to adapt products to local market preferences.
Government export support programs have also played a tangible role. Sunflower oil exporters were reimbursed 461 million tenge in costs in 2024 and 337.6 million tenge in 2025 under these schemes.
The future of Kazakhstan's oils and fats sector will be examined at the international KazOil 2026 conference, scheduled for November 26, 2026, in Astana. The event is expected to bring together leading producers, processors, traders, and importers to discuss global and regional trends shaping the industry's development.
Source: APK-Inform