Milk market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market in Kazakhstan experienced consistent growth from 2.87 million tonnes in 2018 to 3.50 million tonnes in 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by an increase in the cattle population, which grew by 4% by 2019, and state support measures for dairy farming. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, consumer preferences shifting towards local and natural products helped sustain demand.

Subsequent years saw accelerated growth due to improved productivity, with milk yield per cow rising, and the introduction of new product segments such as fermented milk and alternative dairy drinks. The launch of new processing plants, including a facility with a capacity of 300 tonnes of milk per day in 2023, significantly boosted processing capabilities and stimulated production.

Government support remained a key driver, with over KZT 100 billion allocated in 2024 for establishing 65 dairy farms to expand the raw material base. These investments, along with measures to protect domestic producers, ensured that domestic production covered approximately 81.6% of the country's needs by 2024.

Production milk in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Milk production in Kazakhstan has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 161 thousand tons of milk, representing a gradual year-over-year increase of 3.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 15.1%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 4.8%.

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

Exports milk from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year uptick, Kazakhstan's milk exports declined. In 2020, exports totaled 39 138 tons, showing a slight decrease of 1.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 94.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 24.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 39 766 tons, with the largest year-over-year increase of 41.2% also occurring in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia effectively concentrated Kazakhstan's milk exports in kind, accounting for 90.9% of total flows.

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, M $ US

Milk exports from Kazakhstan have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Kazakhstan exported 25.7 million US dollars worth of milk, showing a significant increase of 38.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 144.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 34.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia consistently accounted for 79.4% of total exports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports milk to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year reduction, Kazakhstan's milk import volume increased. In 2020, imports stood at 75 666 tons, up by 24.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 60 643 tons, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 18.3% drop.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belarus, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan formed the key group of partners for milk imports in kind to Kazakhstan. Belarus accounted for 31.4% of imports, Russia for 28.9%, and Kyrgyzstan for 18.3%, jointly representing 78.7% of total flows.

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, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, imported milk volumes in Kazakhstan increased. In 2020, imports were recorded at 128.6 million US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 36.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 94.1 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 18.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus, Russia, and France made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms. Belarus accounted for 33.7% of imports, Russia for 24.2%, and France for 12.9%, jointly accounting for 70.8% 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