Pork market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

Pork production in Kazakhstan began the period at 86 127 tonnes in 2018, supported by the development of pig farming in the grain-growing northern regions and state-backed investment projects through development institutions. However, output fell to 62 810 tonnes in 2019, with a slight recovery to 63 629 tonnes in 2020 as producers increased productivity despite a reported nearly 4% reduction in the national herd size.

From 2021, geopolitical risks, Western sanctions, and currency fluctuations—alongside the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic—affected trade and production. Output continued to decline, reaching 55 441 tonnes in 2023. Imports rose from 2 009 tonnes in 2018 to 7 787 tonnes in 2022 to partly compensate, but the total market volume contracted from 87 703 tonnes to 62 137 tonnes over the period. A shift in consumer preferences, including a reported 2.5% per capita decrease in pork consumption in 2023, contributed to the market's decline.

Regulatory changes opened new trade channels: in 2022, Kazakhstan secured access to export pork to China after agreeing on quarantine and sanitary requirements. This led to a significant expansion of shipments to China, with exports growing twelve-fold by 2024. Throughout the years, pork prices increased in several regions, reflecting inflationary pressures and changes in the supply-demand balance.

Production pork in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Following two consecutive years of decline, Kazakhstan's pork production volume has shown signs of recovery. In 2020, the country produced 63 629 tons of pork, representing a modest increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production experienced a significant contraction of 30.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 11.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 62 810 tons, with that year also witnessing the steepest year-on-year drop of 27.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of contraction, Kazakhstan's pork production value has turned upward. In 2020, the output of pork was valued at 117.3 million US dollars, marking a slight uptick of 1.9% from 2019. Despite this recent improvement, the period from 2017 to 2020 saw a substantial 51% decrease in production value, averaging an annual decline of 21.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 115.0 million US dollars, with that year experiencing the most pronounced drop of 43.6%.

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

Exports pork from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 2.6-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2017. In 2020, Kazakhstan exported 776 tons of pork, representing a slight reduction of 2.0% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 792 tons, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 82.9%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Russia and Armenia served as the primary destinations for Kazakhstan's pork exports in volume terms, together accounting for 100.0% of total export 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Kazakhstan's pork export value has declined. In 2020, the country exported pork worth 1 431 thousand US dollars, which is 1.4% lower than in 2019. However, over the broader 2017–2020 timeframe, export value increased by 81.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 21.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 451 thousand US dollars, with that year also experiencing the strongest annual increase of 41.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Russia and Armenia remained the key markets for Kazakhstan's pork exports in value terms. Russia accounted for 59.8% of total export flows, while Armenia represented 40.2%, together constituting 100.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports pork to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular patterns, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes exhibited significant variation, with a 2.6-fold difference between the maximum in 2020 and the minimum in 2019. In 2020, Kazakhstan imported 4 494 tons of pork from abroad, reflecting a dramatic surge of 164.8% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 698 tons, while the largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018 at 16.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, Russia and the United States together dominated Kazakhstan's pork imports in volume terms, accounting for 82.1% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among various other countries, forming a more diversified but less significant portion of 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

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 3.2-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Kazakhstan imported pork worth 9 803 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 224.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 020 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018 at 31.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, Russia remained the dominant source for Kazakhstan's pork imports in value terms, accounting for 75.4% of total import flows. The remaining volume was distributed across numerous other destinations, reflecting a fragmented import structure.

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

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