While a vast nation often celebrated for its oil, Kazakhstan is quietly cultivating a global reputation as an agricultural powerhouse, as evidenced by its staggering production of over 27 million tons of grain and a food industry contributing $18 billion to its economy in 2022.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Kazakhstan produced 22.4 million metric tons of wheat, making it one of the world's top 10 wheat producers
- Barley production in Kazakhstan reached 3.8 million tons in 2022, up 15% from previous year due to favorable weather
- Corn output in Kazakhstan was 1.2 million tons in 2022, with expansion in southern regions
- In 2022, cattle population in Kazakhstan was 7.1 million heads, up 2.5% YoY
- Sheep and goat numbers reached 23.5 million heads in 2022
- Horse population was 4.2 million heads in 2022, unique to Central Asia
- In 2022, Kazakhstan's dairy processing industry produced 1.2 million tons of processed milk products
- Cheese production reached 85,000 tons in 2022, with local varieties dominant
- Butter output was 45,000 tons in 2022 from major plants in Almaty
- Kazakhstan exported 10.2 million tons of wheat in 2022/23 MY
- Flour exports from Kazakhstan totaled 2.8 million tons in 2022, to 40 countries
- Vegetable oil exports reached 1.1 million tons in 2022, mainly sunflower oil
- Kazakhstan's food industry market size was $15.6 billion in 2022, growing 5.2% YoY
- Per capita food consumption in Kazakhstan was 1,200 kg/year in 2022
- Retail food sales reached $10 billion in 2022, up 8%
Kazakhstan's diverse and growing food industry is a major agricultural producer and exporter.
Dairy and Meat Processing
- In 2022, Kazakhstan's dairy processing industry produced 1.2 million tons of processed milk products
- Cheese production reached 85,000 tons in 2022, with local varieties dominant
- Butter output was 45,000 tons in 2022 from major plants in Almaty
- Yogurt and fermented milk products totaled 300,000 tons in 2022
- Ice cream production hit 120,000 tons in 2022, popular summer product
- Meat canning industry processed 150,000 tons of canned meat in 2022
- Sausage production was 200,000 tons in 2022 from 50 major factories
- Dry milk powder export-oriented production reached 25,000 tons in 2022
- Fresh meat packaging facilities handled 350,000 tons in 2022
- Dairy plant capacity utilization was 75% in 2022 with 150 plants operational
- Halal-certified meat processing covered 90% of output in 2022
- Butter packaging reached 40 million packs in 2022
- Cheese ripening facilities processed 20,000 tons of hard cheese in 2022
- Minced meat production totaled 100,000 tons in 2022 for retail
- Pasteurized milk output was 800,000 tons in 2022
- Smoked meat products reached 50,000 tons in 2022
- Fermented sausage production was 80,000 tons in 2022
Dairy and Meat Processing Interpretation
While Kazakhstan is clearly milking its dairy sector for all it's worth, the nation’s meat industry is also carving out a substantial and predominantly halal slice of the market.
Grain Production
- In 2022, Kazakhstan produced 22.4 million metric tons of wheat, making it one of the world's top 10 wheat producers
- Barley production in Kazakhstan reached 3.8 million tons in 2022, up 15% from previous year due to favorable weather
- Corn output in Kazakhstan was 1.2 million tons in 2022, with expansion in southern regions
- Sunflower seeds production hit 3.2 million tons in 2022, driven by increased acreage to 2.1 million hectares
- Rice production in Kazakhstan totaled 102,000 tons in 2022 from Atyrau and West Kazakhstan oblasts
- Potato production reached 4.1 million tons in 2022, with Almaty region leading at 1.2 million tons
- Vegetable production in Kazakhstan was 5.6 million tons in 2022, including tomatoes at 1.1 million tons
- Sugar beet harvest yielded 5.3 million tons in 2022 from 110,000 hectares
- Rapeseed production increased to 850,000 tons in 2022, supporting oil industry growth
- Grain sowing area in Kazakhstan expanded to 23.5 million hectares in 2023 for 2023/24 season
- Wheat yield averaged 15.5 centners per hectare in 2022 across Kazakhstan
- Total grain production in 2022 was 27.5 million tons including all cereals
- Flour milling capacity in Kazakhstan processed 6.5 million tons of wheat in 2022
- Safflower production reached 150,000 tons in 2022 from Kostanay region
- Millet output was 350,000 tons in 2022, mainly in northern oblasts
- Buckwheat production totaled 120,000 tons in 2022
- Oats harvest was 400,000 tons in 2022
- Rye production stood at 250,000 tons in 2022
- Pulse crops like lentils produced 180,000 tons in 2022
- Forage crops area covered 10.2 million hectares in 2022, yielding high volumes for livestock
Grain Production Interpretation
Kazakhstan's fields are conducting a grand and bountiful symphony, with wheat as the commanding conductor, barley as the rising star, and a diverse ensemble of crops from potatoes to pulses filling out a robust score that feeds both the nation and the world.
Investment and Employment
- Kazakhstan invested $1.2 billion in food industry in 2022 via state programs
- Food processing sector employed 250,000 people in 2022, 5% of workforce
- FDI in agriculture and food was $500 million in 2022 from China and EU
- Government subsidies to food industry totaled 300 billion tenge ($650 million) in 2022
- New dairy plants constructed 10 in 2022 with capacity 500,000 tons
- Labor productivity in food processing rose 10% to 5 million tenge/worker in 2022
- Export-oriented projects attracted $800 million investment in 2022
- Training programs certified 20,000 food industry workers in 2022
- Grain storage facilities expanded by 1 million tons capacity in 2022, $200 million investment
- Halal certification centers supported 500 new food enterprises in 2022
- Meat processing FDI from Turkey was $150 million in 2022 for 5 plants
- Employment in bakery sector was 50,000 in 2022
- R&D spending in food tech was 50 billion tenge in 2022
- Private sector investment in livestock breeding $400 million in 2022
- Food industry contributed 8% to GDP in 2022 at $18 billion
Investment and Employment Interpretation
Kazakhstan's recipe for economic growth is a hearty stew of state subsidies, foreign investment, and a skilled workforce, proving that with enough dough, you can both bake bread and significantly raise it.
Livestock Production
- In 2022, cattle population in Kazakhstan was 7.1 million heads, up 2.5% YoY
- Sheep and goat numbers reached 23.5 million heads in 2022
- Horse population was 4.2 million heads in 2022, unique to Central Asia
- Poultry flock grew to 65 million heads in 2022
- Pig population was 1.1 million heads in 2022 despite cultural preferences
- Beef production totaled 450,000 tons in 2022
- Mutton and lamb output reached 180,000 tons in 2022
- Poultry meat production increased to 320,000 tons in 2022, up 12%
- Milk production was 5.3 million tons in 2022, mainly from cows
- Wool production amounted to 45,000 tons in 2022 from sheep
- Egg production hit 3.8 billion units in 2022
- Honey production was 18,000 tons in 2022 from 50,000 apiaries
- Camel milk production contributed 15,000 tons in 2022 in desert regions
- Livestock slaughter capacity processed 2.5 million heads in 2022
- Feed production for livestock reached 12 million tons in 2022
- Vaccination coverage for livestock was 95% in 2022 against major diseases
- Meat processing plants numbered 250 in 2022 with capacity 1.2 million tons/year
- Dairy herd improvement programs boosted milk yield to 3,500 liters/cow/year in 2022
- Poultry farm modernization led to 4.5 kg meat/bird average in 2022
Livestock Production Interpretation
Kazakhstan's food industry is galloping ahead with modern efficiency while still holding the reins of its pastoral heritage, proving you can have both your traditional horse milk and your industrially produced chicken too.
Market Indicators
- Kazakhstan's food industry market size was $15.6 billion in 2022, growing 5.2% YoY
- Per capita food consumption in Kazakhstan was 1,200 kg/year in 2022
- Retail food sales reached $10 billion in 2022, up 8%
- Dairy products market share was 25% of food retail in 2022 at $2.5 billion
- Meat consumption per capita was 75 kg in 2022
- Bread and bakery products accounted for 15% of household food expenditure in 2022
- Bottled water market grew to 1.2 billion liters consumption in 2022
- Confectionery market value was $800 million in 2022
- Organic food market in Kazakhstan expanded to $150 million in 2022
- Fast food outlets numbered 2,500 in 2022 with sales $1.5 billion
- Household food spending was 45% of total expenses in 2022
- Vegetable oil consumption reached 10 kg per capita in 2022
- Sugar consumption per capita was 40 kg in 2022
- Food inflation rate was 12.5% in 2022
- E-commerce food sales grew 25% to $500 million in 2022
Market Indicators Interpretation
The numbers don't lie: Kazakhstan is building a robust economy one hefty steak, doughy loaf, and surprisingly progressive online grocery cart at a time, though the national sweet tooth and rising food prices suggest the recipe isn't quite perfect yet.
Trade Statistics
- Kazakhstan exported 10.2 million tons of wheat in 2022/23 MY
- Flour exports from Kazakhstan totaled 2.8 million tons in 2022, to 40 countries
- Vegetable oil exports reached 1.1 million tons in 2022, mainly sunflower oil
- Grain imports were minimal at 150,000 tons in 2022
- Meat exports totaled 25,000 tons in 2022, primarily to China and Middle East
- Dairy product exports were 50,000 tons in 2022, including cheese to Russia
- Sugar imports stood at 120,000 tons in 2022 to supplement domestic
- Poultry meat exports reached 5,000 tons in 2022 under halal standards
- Kazakhstan's food exports value was $4.5 billion in 2022, 20% of total exports
- Wheat export destinations included Afghanistan 2.5M tons, Pakistan 1.8M tons in 2022/23
- Sunflower oil export price averaged $1,200/ton in 2022
- Food import value was $3.2 billion in 2022, mainly tropical fruits and processed foods
- Butter exports to EAEU countries totaled 10,000 tons in 2022
- Grain export quota was set at 8 million tons for 2022/23 to ensure domestic supply
- Kazakhstan food trade balance surplus was $1.3 billion in 2022
- Flour milling products exported 500,000 tons to Africa in 2022
Trade Statistics Interpretation
Kazakhstan has shrewdly baked its way into global relevance, transforming its vast plains into a breadbasket that not only feeds its neighbors but also cleverly butters its own bread with a tidy trade surplus, all while keeping its own pantry amply stocked.
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