Expanding Agricultural Exports in Kazakhstan Aims for a 3.5-fold Increase by 2030
Kazakhstan Unveils Comprehensive Strategy to Boost Agricultural Exports
Kazakhstan's government has announced a far-reaching strategy to increase its agricultural exports by 3.5 times by 2030, as revealed by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. This strategy aims to expand agro-industrial exports, raise the share of processed agricultural products to 70%, protect the domestic market from external risks, and provide broad support to farmers.
The strategy includes constant monitoring of foreign trade flows, with the Interdepartmental Commission on Foreign Trade Policy empowered to impose bans, quotas, and other non-tariff regulations if sudden import/export spikes or risks to the domestic market arise. These measures are developed in consultation with business and experts, considering product biosecurity, quality standards, socio-economic impacts, market conditions, and Kazakhstan’s international trade obligations.
The government's approach also includes efforts to ensure food security, improve accessibility, and strengthen the agro-industrial complex through systemic reforms and support mechanisms. Currently, 29 key food products are supplied to Kazakhstan’s domestic market at 80% to 100% through local production, underpinning these export ambitions.
While the strategy does not specify the methods for shielding the domestic market from external risks, it is part of the strategy. The support for farmers in the strategy is not detailed, but it is expected to be broad. The government's strategy for the agro-industrial sector does not mention the Interdepartmental Commission on Foreign Trade Policy's authority to impose bans, quotas, quantitative restrictions, and other non-tariff regulations in response to sudden spikes in imports or exports, or emerging risks to the domestic market. However, this commission has the power to do so, as stated in earlier strategies.
The goal of increasing the share of processed products to 70% in the agricultural sector reflects a shift towards value-added products, which could potentially boost Kazakhstan's economic growth and create more jobs in the sector. The continuous monitoring of foreign trade flows is not explicitly stated as part of the new measures, but it was a part of the earlier strategy.
This comprehensive strategy is a significant step towards Kazakhstan's ambition to become a major player in the global agro-industrial market. By focusing on domestic production, protecting the domestic market, and fostering growth in the processed food sector, Kazakhstan is well-positioned to achieve its export targets.
[1] Kazakhstan's food production reaches 3.3 trillion tenge (US$6 billion) in 2023, a 2.9% increase from the previous year. [3] 29 key food products are supplied to the domestic market at a rate of 80% to 100% through local production.
- The government's strategy for the agro-industrial sector, aimed at boosting Kazakhstan's agricultural exports, also includes a focus on the production of value-added products, potentially enhancing the nation's finance and business sectors.
- To ensure the domestic market's protection from external risks and maintain food security, the Interdepartmental Commission on Foreign Trade Policy is authorized to implement measures such as imposing bans, quotas, and non-tariff regulations, thereby influencing Kazakhstan's finance, business, and industry.
