Producers of oilseeds in Kazakhstan are successfully expanding their exports and entering new markets. According to information obtained from the National Association of Oilseed Processors, significant achievements have been made in the markets of China, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
For the 2023/24 season, the export volume of Kazakh sunflower oil increased by 42%, totaling 130,000 tons, and oilcake by 49%, totaling over 117,000 tons. The total export of vegetable oils and high-protein feed (oilcake and meal) for the season exceeded 1 million tons, amounting to $561 million. These figures were presented by the National Association of Oilseed Processors.
Particularly noteworthy are the achievements in the supply of oil and fat products to countries in Central Asia, such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. According to the Association, in 2023, these countries imported around 950,000 tons of vegetable oils and oilcake/meal, with Kazakhstan's products accounting for half of the total import volume.
For example, Kazakhstan significantly increased its share of vegetable oil supplies to Tajikistan, reaching 72% in 2023, whereas just a few years ago, in 2017, Russia held a 73% share, while Kazakhstan only had 15%.
It is also worth noting the growth in Kazakhstan's oil supplies to Uzbekistan, where Kazakhstan's share increased from 13% in 2017 to 51% in 2022-2023.
The most popular oil imported to Central Asian countries is sunflower oil, with its import volume in 2023 reaching 468,000 tons. Kazakhstan, in turn, exported over 369,000 tons of this product during the same period.
Based on the above, it can be concluded that Kazakhstan, in the medium term, can fully meet the needs of Central Asia in sunflower oil, given the proper organization of foreign trade activities, according to experts.
Regarding the export of oilcake/meal to Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan holds a leading position in this segment, covering over 98% of all shipments, excluding soybean meal. This allows Kazakhstan to almost entirely satisfy the demand of Central Asian countries for high-protein feed.
According to forecasts by the National Association of Oilseed Processors, in the current 2024/25 season, the export of vegetable oils and oilcake/meal from Kazakhstan to Central Asia will amount to 580 to 600 thousand tons, representing a growth of 6–10%.
Processors note that the development of oilcake/meal production and exports is an important topic, as high-protein feeds are fundamental for the development of poultry farming, livestock breeding, profitable production, and the export of quality meat products.
According to estimates by the National Association of Oilseed Processors, in the coming years, the demand for high-protein feeds in the domestic market will only increase, especially considering the plans to build 15 large poultry farms and 115 dairy farms.
In the 2022/23 season, the export of oilcake/meal from Kazakhstan increased by 75% to 372,000 tons, setting an absolute record for the country. In the 2023/24 season, exports of this product exceeded 482,000 tons, and Kazakhstan repeated its record.
The main export destinations for oilcake/meal in the 2023/24 season were Uzbekistan (39%), European Union countries (20%), Tajikistan (14%), Iran (13%), and China (10%). According to the European Commission data from July 2023 to April 2024, Kazakhstan ranked among the top 5 exporters of sunflower meal to the EU.