Garlic market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the garlic market in Kazakhstan grew consistently, with volume increasing from 48 390 t to 66 015 t. This expansion was primarily driven by rising domestic production, which jumped from 44 881 t to 61 894 t over the same period. The growth was supported by the State Program for Agro-Industrial Development for 2017-2021, which provided financial incentives and promoted crop diversification, encouraging farmers to cultivate garlic alongside traditional crops.

In 2023, the market volume fell to 63 945 t despite production reaching 64 815 t. The decline was caused by a sharp rise in exports to 4 724 t and a drop in imports, particularly from Tajikistan. Government policies favoring domestic procurement and reduced purchases from Tajikistan altered trade flows, while new food labeling rules introduced in 2024 began to affect market transparency and control.

In 2024, garlic imports increased to 5 476 t, while exports fell to 3 036 t. New mandatory labeling requirements for food products, including garlic, came into force, requiring information in Kazakh and Russian. Additionally, digital labeling pilots and global price dynamics continued to influence the market structure.

Production garlic in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan ranked 27th globally in garlic production.

Top producers of garlic, 2017-2020

World map of production of garlic, 2017-2020

Kazakhstan's garlic production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 49 222 tonnes of garlic, showing only minor fluctuations compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 26.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.2%.

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

Exports garlic from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Garlic exports from Kazakhstan peaked in 2018 at 1 329 tonnes, then fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 373 tonnes—a 3.6-fold difference. In 2020, exports contracted by 32.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 58.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 143.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, garlic exports were heavily concentrated on Russia, which accounted for 90.5% of total export volumes.

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

Kazakhstan's garlic export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 82 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 48.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 78.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -40.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, Russia was the primary buyer of garlic from Kazakhstan, accounting for 89.8% of total export value, while a diverse group of other countries made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports garlic to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Kazakhstan's garlic import volumes increased. In 2020, imports reached 4 189 tonnes, a significant gain of 51.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 32%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 772 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 42.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Uzbekistan dominated garlic imports in volume, jointly accounting for 92.8% of total flows, with other countries representing 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

Following a two-year decline, Kazakhstan's garlic import value rose. In 2020, imports stood at 5 247 thousand US dollars, increasing by 41.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 699 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 25.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China and Uzbekistan clearly dominated the import partner structure in value terms, with other countries collectively forming the remaining share.

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

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