Kazakhstan’s Vegetable Oil Production Increases by 26%
The production of oilseeds in Kazakhstan reached 3.3 million tons, marking a 53% increase compared to 2023 (2.1 million tons). Of this total, 1.8 million tons came from sunflower seeds.
In 2024, the area allocated for oilseeds expanded to 2.9 million hectares. The largest oilseed cultivation areas are located in North Kazakhstan (23.3%), Kostanay (23%), Pavlodar (12.5%), Abai (10.2%), Akmola (9.2%), and East Kazakhstan (7.7%) regions, according to the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan’s vegetable oil production is steadily increasing. The country has 88 processing enterprises with a total annual capacity of around 4 million tons of raw materials, primarily concentrated in East Kazakhstan, North Kazakhstan, and Abai regions.
In 2024, a total of 753,000 tons of vegetable oil was produced, reflecting a 12% increase from 672,100 tons in 2023. In January-February 2025, production volume rose by 26.7%, from 124,800 tons to 158,100 tons. Specifically, sunflower oil production increased by 22.4%, from 113,000 tons to 138,200 tons.
In 2023, vegetable oil exports totaled 582,100 tons, up 12% from the previous year. The products are in high demand in China, while Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, and Turkmenistan account for 42.4% of total exports.
To boost the export potential of processed products, Kazakhstan is strengthening cooperation with China. Signed sanitary and phytosanitary agreements are expected to open new export opportunities for processed oilseed products.
Additionally, to enhance the competitiveness of the oil industry, a subsidy program is in place to support agribusiness entities, including oilseed processing enterprises. Companies that secure working capital loans through financial institutions under this program can access preferential loans, facilitating further industry growth.
