Kazakhstan enters the Top 10 global exporters of sunflower oil for the first time
Kazakhstan is rapidly strengthening its position in the global oilseed market.
Over the past three years, sunflower oil production in the country has increased 2.5 times, exports have grown 4.8 times, and imports of bottled oil have decreased by 11%.
For the first time, Kazakhstan entered the Top 10 largest exporters of sunflower oil in the world, ranking 8th in 2024. In addition, Kazakhstan became one of the top three suppliers of sunflower meal to the European Union — a key livestock product in high demand globally.
Export Revenue and Growth Prospects
Export revenue from the sale of oils, meal, and cake reached USD 562 million last season. In the coming years, Kazakhstan plans to increase this figure to USD 2 billion annually.
This growth will be driven by the gradual transition from wheat to more profitable oilseeds, primarily sunflower.
“Today, Kazakhstan fully supplies the domestic market, stabilizes prices, and simultaneously boosts exports. We are not just exporting goods — we are strengthening the country’s economic security and becoming a supplier of food security for the entire region,” said Nurlan Kulbatyrov, First Deputy CEO of QazTrade.
Global Market Potential and Challenges
According to Yadykar Ibragimov, Chairman of the National Association of Oilseed Processors, the global market for oils and feed is estimated at 43 million tons — 42 times more than Kazakhstan’s current export volume.
He emphasized that realizing this potential requires systemic coordination between the government and the private sector.
Three-Year Plan and Export Roadmap
A roundtable is being held in Astana on the development of the oil and fat industry’s export potential. It marks the beginning of work on a three-year export development plan for oilseed products.
The goal is to establish sustainable cooperation between the state and business and create a permanent platform for collaboration and strategic decisions.
As part of this initiative, an Export Roadmap for 2025–2027 will be developed to strengthen Kazakhstan’s presence in international markets.
Organizers and Partners
The event is organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the Center for Trade Policy Development QazTrade and the National Association of Oilseed Processors, with support from the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The roundtable is held as part of the “Ready4Trade – Central Asia” project: “Path to Prosperity via the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor,” funded by the European Union.