Kazakhstan sets record in production and exports of oilseed products

Kazakhstan’s oilseed processing industry continues to show strong growth. In 2025, the country’s production of oil and fat products exceeded 1.57 million tons, while export revenues reached a record $963 million, four times higher than in 2021. The government described these results as a major breakthrough for the agricultural processing sector.

According to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, the industry generated 27% of Kazakhstan’s export earnings from processed agricultural products. Sunflower oil production has increased 2.3-fold over the past four years, surpassing 752,000 tons, while the share of imports has declined to just 18% of total domestic output.

The sector’s expansion is driving growth in oilseed acreage across the country. Strong demand from processing plants and attractive profitability are encouraging farmers to expand production, while investments in processing capacity and value-added products continue to increase.

Kazakh oilseed products are now exported to more than 20 countries worldwide. Key markets include China, Central Asian countries, the European Union, as well as Norway, Afghanistan, and Iran. In 2025, Kazakhstan ranked as the world’s sixth-largest exporter of sunflower oil and the second-largest supplier to the Chinese market.

The country aims to further strengthen its position in global vegetable oil trade. Under an export development roadmap for 2026–2028, export revenues from oilseed products could increase by another 60% to exceed $1.5 billion. Kazakhstan’s long-term goal is to become one of the world’s top three exporters of sunflower oil.