Maize market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the maize market volume in Kazakhstan remained stable at around 817,000 tons. This occurred alongside an expansion of planted areas and the entry of new agroholdings, which increased domestic production, while state purchases provided additional market support.

The market entered a growth phase from 2020, with volume rising to 896,000 tons that year and reaching 1.05 million tons in 2021. This expansion was primarily driven by a strong import substitution policy and increased state support for the agro-industrial complex, which stimulated domestic production and consumption, despite ongoing effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A slight contraction to 1.03 million tons occurred in 2022, influenced by international sanctions against Russia which disrupted regional trade and logistics. The market recovered to 1.12 million tons in 2023, supported by continued legislative measures aimed at developing agricultural processing and sustaining the import substitution course.

Production maize in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Kazakhstan's maize production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 958.1 thousand tons of maize, representing a 6.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 22.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Kazakhstan's maize production value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 216.6 million US dollars, showing a strong 24.2% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 51.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports maize from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kazakhstan's maize export volume totaled 68 706 tons, which is 20.8% lower than in the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 86 733 tons, with the largest increase of 74.9% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan was the nearly exclusive buyer of maize from Kazakhstan, accounting for 93.5% of total exports in 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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The value of exports hit its lowest point in 2017 and reached a peak in 2019, showing a 2.6-fold amplitude. In 2020, foreign maize supplies from Kazakhstan stood at 15 536 thousand US dollars, which is 8.0% lower year-on-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 16 880 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 78.7% also in that year.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Uzbekistan served as the primary destination for maize from Kazakhstan, consistently absorbing 90.7% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports maize to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and highest in 2019, varying by a factor of 6.6. In 2020, maize deliveries to Kazakhstan came to 6 450 tons, which is 15.3% lower compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 618 tons, while the largest increase of 254.7% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia consistently accounted for 77.5% of total imports in volume, indicating a high concentration on this market, with the remainder shared among other countries.

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

After a two-year increase, Kazakhstan's maize imports declined. In 2020, the import volume amounted to 5 807 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decline of 2.6% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 92.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 24.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 965 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 66.6% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets—Russia, the United States, and Hungary—were central to imports in value terms, together accounting for 55.1% of total flows.

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

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