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Kazakhstan is strategically positioning itself to become the world's fourth-largest exporter of sunflower oil, backed by a massive expansion in its industrial processing sector. Currently, the nation boasts a processing capacity of 5.4 million tonnes for oilseeds, a figure projected to climb to approximately 9 million tonnes by 2029 as new facilities are commissioned and existing plants undergo expansion.
Speaking at the AgroFoodSummit in Mersin, Türkiye, Andriy Antonov, Executive Director for Strategic Development at the National Oilseed Processors Association of Kazakhstan (NOPA), highlighted that the association's 52 processing plants now handle over 90% of the domestic sunflower crop. However, even with rising production levels, Antonov noted that the domestic market continues to face a significant shortage of raw materials to satisfy the growing industrial appetite.
This industrial growth is directly fueling an export boom. Last season, exports of processed products—including vegetable oils and oilseed meal—reached 1.8 million tonnes, with expectations to hit 2 million tonnes this season. Kazakhstan has successfully penetrated EU markets with high-protein sunflower meal and husk pellets, maintaining economic competitiveness even in the absence of logistics subsidies.
As of 2025, Kazakhstan ranked sixth globally in sunflower oil exports and secured the second spot for supplies to China. It also holds the third position in sunflower meal deliveries to both the EU and China. 'Our plans are to become the world’s fourth-largest sunflower oil exporter,' Antonov stated, noting a successful entry into the Iranian market this April, with 25,000 tonnes already shipped and more maritime deliveries scheduled for October.
Logistics remain a key focus, with container deliveries to Türkiye taking between 10 and 14 days. Antonov emphasized the strategic importance of the rail-based Trans-Caspian International Transport Route given the current global geopolitical climate. Under the 2026-2028 development roadmap, Kazakhstan aims to generate $1.5 billion in foreign exchange earnings from oil and fat exports.
This sector growth is underpinned by a shift at the farm level, where producers are increasingly swapping grain crops for higher-margin oilseeds. Over the last five years, the share of oilseeds in crop rotations has grown from 14% to 22%. Furthermore, Kazakhstan is on track to potentially become the world's largest producer of oilseed flax by the 2026/27 marketing year, as shifting trade tariffs in Europe favor Kazakh supplies over traditional competitors.
المصدر: AgroPortal.ua / Source: AgroPortal.ua