Paddy rice market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

The production of paddy rice in Kazakhstan increased from 483 thousand tons in 2018 to 561 thousand tons in 2019. This growth was supported by a rising output of processed rice, which met domestic demand and created exportable surpluses, alongside state programs and investments in agrotechnology. In 2020, production stabilized at 557 thousand tons while processed rice output saw a sharp rise in the first half of the year, indicating improved sector efficiency.

A decline set in during 2021, with production falling to 504 thousand tons, and a more pronounced drop to 431 thousand tons in 2022. The primary driver was a reduction in sown areas due to irrigation water shortages, rising prices for machinery and fertilizers, and delays in subsidy payments to farmers. This shift led to the conversion of some land to less water-intensive crops and triggered a significant increase in domestic rice prices.

Production recovered to 485 thousand tons in 2023. The rebound was fueled by the expansion of export destinations, with Russia becoming the largest buyer of Kazakh rice and new sales channels opening to markets such as the United States, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. The growth in exports provided a direct incentive for increased production volumes.

Production paddy rice in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

In 2019, Kazakhstan produced 560.7 thousand tons of paddy rice, marking the highest output during the 2017-2020 period. However, production declined slightly in 2020 to 556.8 thousand tons, representing a 0.7% decrease from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 482.9 thousand tons, which saw a 1.3% decline. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Kazakhstan's paddy rice production value continued to rise for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 152.6 million US dollars, reflecting a 12.9% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value during this period was recorded in 2018 at 115.0 million US dollars, which experienced a 12.7% decline. From 2017 to 2020, the production value increased by 15.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 5.0%.

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

Exports paddy rice from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of paddy rice from Kazakhstan showed significant volatility between 2019 and 2020. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 584 tons, marking a 68.1% decline. However, in 2020, exports surged to 2,338 tons, representing a dramatic 300.5% year-over-year increase. Overall, export volumes varied by a factor of four between these two years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan's paddy rice exports in kind were primarily directed to three key markets: Uzbekistan accounted for 43.9% of exports, Afghanistan for 35.9%, and Russia for 19.5%. Together, these three countries represented 99.3% of total exports in kind.

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

Export values of paddy rice from Kazakhstan exhibited notable fluctuations between 2019 and 2020. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 140.7 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 67.7% decline. In contrast, 2020 saw exports jump to 640.8 thousand US dollars, a substantial 355.4% increase compared to the previous year. Overall, export values varied by 4.6 times between these two years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan's paddy rice exports in value terms were dominated by three main markets: Afghanistan accounted for 37.2% of exports, Russia for 35.7%, and Uzbekistan for 26.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 99.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paddy rice to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of paddy rice into Kazakhstan displayed volatility between 2018 and 2020. In 2018, imports peaked at 864 tons, showing an 81.0% increase. By 2020, imports had fallen to 311 tons, marking a 57.4% decline from the previous year. Overall, import volumes varied by 2.8 times between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of paddy rice into Kazakhstan in kind were almost entirely concentrated in Russia, which accounted for 92.2% of total imports.

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 two years of growth, imports of paddy rice into Kazakhstan declined in 2020. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 498.6 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 32.9% increase. However, in 2020, imports dropped to 196.5 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 60.6% year-over-year decline. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 42%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of paddy rice into Kazakhstan in value terms were almost entirely concentrated in Russia, which accounted for 90.3% of total imports.

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

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