Almaty region targets 100,000-tonne apple harvest, with 20% earmarked for export
Apple growers in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region plan to harvest about 100,000 tonnes this year, sending 80% to the domestic market and 20% abroad. New intensive orchards, irrigation systems and an 80,000-tonne processing and storage project are intended to raise yields and extend the marketing season.
Harvest plan reserves a fifth for foreign markets
Apple growers in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region plan to harvest about 100,000 tonnes this year, according to NUR.KZ, citing the regional administration. The plan allocates 80% of the crop to Kazakhstan’s domestic market and the remaining 20% to exports. The region’s apples are currently shipped mainly to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Belarus.
A further 10% of the harvested volume is planned for juice, purée, jam and other processed products. The source does not specify whether this processing share is included within the domestic and export allocations. That distinction will matter as the region seeks to sell both fresh fruit and higher-value processed goods outside Kazakhstan.
Intensive orchards support higher yields
The region has 9,900 hectares of apple orchards, including 2,200 hectares under intensive cultivation. Enbekshikazakh district is the largest producing area, harvesting 34,100 tonnes annually, followed by the Uygur, Talgar, Karasai and Zhambyl districts. Producers grow 21 apple varieties, including Almaty Aport, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Sinap, Kandil and Idared. Gala is reported to be in particularly strong demand internationally.
Over the past 3.5 years, Almaty region harvested more than 282,000 tonnes of apples but exported only 1,500 tonnes, generating about $1.549 million in revenue, regional agriculture department head Dimash Sydykov said. Authorities are working to expand sales to Europe, China, Central Asia and the Middle East. Their plans cover fresh apples as well as juice, dried apples and pastila.
The production program combines high-yield planting material, drip irrigation, digital technology and an expansion of intensive orchards. Authorities are also restoring the Almaty Aport as an international brand. Aport orchards currently cover about 2,300 hectares, producing 6,600 tonnes annually at an average yield of 88.5 centners per hectare.
Processing and storage capacity set to expand
QAZAQ Global Food JV is building a plant designed to handle 80,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables a year. The project is expected to increase processing volumes and provide more long-term apple storage. Longer storage would allow growers and traders to market fruit during the off-season instead of concentrating sales around the harvest, while also supporting larger export programs.
Smaller farms remain part of the region’s supply base. The 14-hectare Khishmanov orchard in Aimen village uses 4 hectares to grow seedlings and employs 15 people permanently, rising to 30-45 during harvesting and planting. It produced 12 tonnes last year and plans 24-28 tonnes this year. The farm is also propagating the Kazakhstan-bred Anel, Ainur, Damira, Voskhod and Rashi varieties. Together, improved planting stock, irrigation, sorting, processing and storage will determine whether the region can convert its planned harvest into sustained domestic and export sales.
