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<\/p>\nASTANA \u2013 The global food system is facing several pressures at once. Population growth and rising incomes, particularly in middle-income countries, are changing consumption patterns. Demand for meat, dairy products, and other protein sources is increasing.<\/p>\n
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Photo credit: Shutterstock<\/p>\n
At the same time, agriculture faces growing climate risks. Water scarcity, higher input costs and supply chain disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions are adding to the pressure.<\/p>\n
Against this backdrop, Kazakhstan is seeking to strengthen<\/a> its role in regional food security. The country is increasing agricultural production and expanding exports. It is also investing in irrigation, processing, logistics and agricultural technologies.<\/p>\n Agriculture gains momentum<\/p>\n Kazakhstan\u2019s agricultural sector continues to show growth. Gross agricultural output increased 4.4% in the first six months of 2026 to 2.2 trillion tenge (US$4.9 billion), according to the government.<\/p>\n Investment has been a major driver. Investment in agriculture increased 36.4% in the first five months of 2026, while investment in food production grew 2.7 times to 207.3 billion tenge (US$464 million).<\/p>\n At a Sept. 18 operational headquarters meeting in Astana, Vice Minister of Agriculture Nazgul Khatepova said Kazakhstan\u2019s total sown area this year stands at 24.2 million hectares. Photo credit: primeminister.kz<\/p>\n The country is also progressing with its harvest campaign. At a Sept. 18 operational headquarters meeting, Vice Minister of Agriculture Nazgul Khatepova reported that Kazakhstan\u2019s total sown area reached 24.2 million hectares, including 15.6 million hectares planted with grain and leguminous crops.<\/p>\n As of the meeting, farmers had harvested 11.3 million hectares, with an average yield of 14.2 centners per hectare. Grain harvesting had covered 72.5% of the total grain area. Farmers had harvested 16.2 million tons of grain. Around 74% of the soft wheat delivered for storage was classified as third-grade wheat.<\/p>\n The livestock sector is also expanding. Cattle numbers increased by 5.8% to 9.3 million head, while horse numbers rose by 7.4% to 5 million and camel numbers increased by 3.6% to 312,000. Meat production in slaughter weight rose by 5.5% to 559,000 tons. Milk production increased by 2.4% to 1.9 million tons, while egg production grew by 7.9% to 2.4 billion eggs.<\/p>\n In addition, Kazakhstan is preparing for the 2027 harvest as the current harvesting campaign continues, Deputy Agriculture Minister Azat Sultanov said at a government meeting Sept. 29.<\/p>\n According to Sultanov, the country has stored 2 million tons of seeds, or 90% of the 2.3 million tons required for next year\u2019s harvest.<\/p>\n Winter plowing is also under way, with 2.1 million tons of fertilizer applied so far, or 66% of the scientifically recommended amount, compared with 58% last year.<\/p>\n Kazakhstan has also completed the digitization of all agricultural land to support soil-quality monitoring and crop-yield forecasting.<\/p>\n Logistics strengthen export potential<\/p>\n Growing agricultural output is driving higher grain transportation and export<\/a> volumes. Kazakhstan\u2019s strategic location between major consumer markets across Eurasia further strengthens its position as an agricultural exporter. For the agrifood sector, this provides access to markets in Central Asia, China, the Caucasus, the Middle East and beyond.<\/p>\n According to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the country transported 9.3 million tons of grain during the first eight months of the year. This was 13% more than in the same period in 2025. Domestic transportation accounted for 2.1 million tons, an increase of 8%.<\/p>\n August saw a record monthly volume of grain transportation following the start of the new harvest. The figure reached 1.157 million tons, up 35%.<\/p>\n Kazakhstan exported 7.1 million tons of grain from January through August. Of this amount, 4.8 million tons went to Central Asian countries, an increase of 37%. Uzbekistan received 3.6 million tons, up 50%. Exports to Tajikistan reached 998,000 tons, up 17%. Another 562,000 tons were transported to China, an increase of 34%.<\/p>\n According to the Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural exports reached $3 billion in January-April 2026, up 36% from $2.2 billion a year earlier, and are expected to reach $7.2 billion by the end of 2026.<\/p>\n Grain market faces price pressure<\/p>\n Strong production and export capacity, however, do not eliminate market risks.<\/p>\n Kazakhstan\u2019s grain market entered the autumn season under pressure from growing supplies of the new harvest and cheaper Russian wheat, according to Yevgeny Karabanov, head of the Analytics Committee of the Grain Union of Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n Yevgeny Karabanov, head of the Analytics Committee of the Grain Union of Kazakhstan. Photo credit: Karabanov\u2019s Telegram channel<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img-1531jpeg-300x169.jpg\")
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