Potato market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the potato market volume in Kazakhstan saw initial growth followed by stabilization. In 2019, market volume increased to 1 887 thousand tons, driven by increased farmer interest and the entry of new players stimulated by higher demand, alongside ongoing state support for potato farming. The following year, volume remained nearly unchanged at 1 883 thousand tons, with seasonal price dynamics reflecting balanced supply and demand.

The market expanded notably in 2021, reaching 2 081 thousand tons, as rising imports supplemented domestic supply. However, volume began to contract in 2022, falling to 2 012 thousand tons amid a drop in imports and a rise in exports, even as authorities introduced export quotas and fixed prices to bolster domestic availability. The downward trend accelerated in 2023, with volume dropping to 1 690 thousand tons due to decreased production and a sharp export increase, while processing issues and sustained export regulation influenced market dynamics.

In 2024, the market witnessed a dramatic export surge, particularly to Russia, driven by high external prices and a large harvest. Imports also multiplied due to ongoing processing shortcomings and price volatility, with the government continuing export quotas and price controls to stabilize domestic supply.

Production potato in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Kazakhstan's potato production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2,165 thousand tons of potatoes, marking a modest increase of 2.4% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 21.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Potato production in Kazakhstan rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 183.4 million US dollars, showing a slight year-over-year increase of 1.0%. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 21.9%, with an average annual decrease of 7.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 181.6 million US dollars, and the sharpest drop occurred that same year, with a decline of 17.6%.

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

Exports potato from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 153.0 thousand tons and peaked in 2020 at 357.0 thousand tons, representing a 2.3-fold increase between these years. In 2020, foreign potato supplies from Kazakhstan grew by 35.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 43.5%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 71.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of potatoes from Kazakhstan, accounting for 95.1% 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

Kazakhstan's potato export value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 30,236 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant gain of 33.8% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 17,760 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that year with a drop of 50.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan was by far the main destination for potato exports from Kazakhstan in value terms, accounting for 92.3% of total 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 potato to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 32.1 thousand tons and peaked in 2020 at 75.0 thousand tons, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, potato deliveries to Kazakhstan totaled 75.0 thousand tons, amounting to a steep uptick of 105.4% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 30.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal sources for potato imports to Kazakhstan in volume were Russia (34.4% of imports), Kyrgyzstan (27.4% of imports), and Pakistan (16.3% of imports), which together accounted for 78.0% 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, K $ US

Potato deliveries to Kazakhstan increased after a two-year reduction. In 2020, Kazakhstan imported 7,099 thousand US dollars worth of potatoes, indicating a solid increase of 18.8% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 44.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5,975 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 32.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for potato imports to Kazakhstan in value terms were Kyrgyzstan (27.2% of imports), Pakistan (18.4% of imports), and Russia (16.5% of imports), which jointly accounted for 62.2% 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