Brown rice market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

In the initial years, brown rice production in Kazakhstan was concentrated in favorable regions like Kyzylorda, ensuring national self-sufficiency. Market volume, however, contracted in 2019 before recovering in 2020, influenced by broader macroeconomic factors and shifting consumer trends.

Growing interest in developing the rice sector during 2021 supported an expansion in production and market volume. Subsequently, government agricultural support programs and the emergence of new product segments, including value-added rice processing, helped stabilize the market despite ongoing competitive pressure from cheaper Chinese imports.

By 2024, legislative changes to price controls on socially significant goods, including rice, alongside a reported record harvest, pointed to continued industry development. This progress was tempered by climatic challenges, such as increased locust infestations, and a significant rise in consumer rice prices over the preceding years.

Production brown rice in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan ranked as the world's 22nd largest producer of brown rice.

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

After rising for two consecutive years, brown rice production in Kazakhstan declined. In 2020, the country produced 33 710 tonnes of brown rice, marking a 7.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. Production peaked in 2019 at 36 611 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kazakhstan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports brown rice from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 74-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Kazakhstan exported 1 681 tonnes of brown rice, representing a sharp decline of 84.9% from 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 155 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 1 044.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kazakhstan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan was the dominant buyer of brown rice from Kazakhstan, accounting for 92.0% of total exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kazakhstan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 33-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kazakhstan's brown rice exports amounted to 499 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep decrease of 72.5% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 816 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 482.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Uzbekistan clearly dominated Kazakhstan's brown rice exports in value terms, capturing 76.9% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020

Imports brown rice to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Imports bottomed in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 6.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kazakhstan imported 86 tonnes of brown rice, reflecting an abrupt drop of 81.2% compared to 2019. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 149.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kazakhstan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Tajikistan were the dominant partners for Kazakhstan's brown rice imports by volume, while other countries together accounted for the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kazakhstan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized market behavior during these years. Imports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 3.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Kazakhstan's brown rice imports registered 85 thousand US dollars, representing a steep drop of 67.2% from 2019. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 146.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017-2020, Russia and Tajikistan together accounted for 81.7% of Kazakhstan's total brown rice imports in value terms. Other countries formed a diversified but less significant portion of imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020