Kazakhstan’s pasta output rises as domestic sales fall in first half of 2026

Production grows despite weaker local consumption

Kazakhstan’s pasta manufacturers increased output in the first half of 2026 even as sales in the domestic market contracted. Production rose by 3.4% to 76,200 tonnes, while consumption within the country declined by 12.1% to 64,600 tonnes, according to Pravda.ru.

The divergence indicates that producers relied more heavily on foreign markets to absorb their output. Kazakhstan exported 32,700 tonnes of pasta during the period, a 43.5% increase. Export revenue reached $27.6 million. Based on the reported volume and value, the average export return was about $844 per tonne, although the source did not provide comparisons with the previous year.

The figures also show that domestic consumption remained larger than exports. However, the rapid increase in shipments abroad gave manufacturers an alternative outlet as purchases by Kazakh consumers weakened. Agricultural expert Viktor Smirnov said the movement of products toward exports during a decline in domestic sales suggests that companies are seeking markets with higher margins as consumer behavior changes at home.

Central Asian destinations take a larger role

The geographical structure of Kazakhstan’s pasta exports changed sharply. Shipments to Kyrgyzstan increased almost fivefold, while deliveries to Turkmenistan more than tripled. These gains made neighboring Central Asian markets more important to producers during the reporting period.

Exports to Russia, which remains one of Kazakhstan’s key markets, moved in the opposite direction and fell by 11%. The contrast suggests that overall export growth was not broad-based: it depended substantially on stronger demand in Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan rather than on expansion across every established destination.

For manufacturers and traders, that shift creates both an opportunity and a concentration risk. Faster sales in nearby markets can support factory utilization and limit logistics costs, but reliance on a small number of rapidly growing destinations leaves exporters more exposed to changes in demand, border conditions and distributor inventories.

Imports decline as suppliers reduce shipments

Kazakhstan imported 21,100 tonnes of pasta in the first half, down 5.8%. Russia remained the largest foreign supplier with 16,400 tonnes, followed by China with 2,300 tonnes. Both countries reduced their shipments to Kazakhstan.

Imports increased only from Turkey, Belarus, Japan and Thailand, although the source did not specify their volumes. The overall decline in imports, combined with higher domestic production, points to stronger availability from Kazakh plants. At the same time, falling local consumption means that additional domestic output cannot automatically be absorbed at home.

Russia’s position is notable on both sides of the trade relationship. It remained a major destination for Kazakh pasta and supplied more than three quarters of Kazakhstan’s reported imports, yet flows in both directions weakened. This leaves regional manufacturers competing for a smaller Kazakh retail market while Kazakhstan’s exporters pursue growth elsewhere in Central Asia.

Prices move in different directions

Retail price changes in July varied substantially by product. Noodle prices rose by 23.7% to 1,725 tenge per kilogram, and vermicelli increased by 13.5% to 737 tenge per kilogram. By contrast, pasta horns became 16.5% cheaper, falling to 516 tenge per kilogram.

The mixed price picture does not support a single market-wide explanation for the drop in consumption. Product mix, production costs and competition may be affecting categories differently. For processors, the combination of weaker domestic volumes, uneven retail prices and faster exports makes destination and product selection increasingly important to margins.