Rice market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018-2019, the rice market volume in Kazakhstan increased from 395.8 thousand tons to 491.6 thousand tons. This growth was driven by state support for farmers in key regions, such as Kyzylorda Oblast, which facilitated the expansion of sown areas and experiments with new varieties. Continued production growth and market expansion, including export directions, supported the increase in domestic supply.

However, starting in 2020, the market volume began to decline, reaching 334.1 thousand tons in 2022. This decline was caused by a 9% reduction in rice sown area in 2022 due to decreased state subsidies and rising production costs from more expensive fertilizers, fuel, and electricity. Simultaneously, active rice exports, including for the first time to the United States and increased shipments to Russia amid its own export ban, reduced available domestic supply, leading to price increases and further consumption contraction.

In 2023, the market volume recovered to 398.5 thousand tons, primarily due to a sharp 2.7-fold increase in imports, which compensated for insufficient domestic production. Despite a 3.6% drop in own production, the emergence of new processing facilities and continued exports to CIS countries maintained market activity.

Production rice in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Kazakhstan produced 556.8 thousand tons of rice, marking a slight decrease of 0.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 482.9 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 560.7 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 1.3%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019, with a substantial rise of 16.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, rice production in Kazakhstan experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 151.1 million US dollars, representing a slight year-over-year decrease of 0.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 38.7%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 152.0 million US dollars, with the most notable increase occurring in 2018, which saw a 20.0% rise.

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

Exports rice from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Kazakhstan's rice exports rebounded with an increase. In 2020, exports reached 105.2 thousand tons, showing a robust year-over-year growth of 15.5%. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 6.3%, equating to an average annual rate of 2.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 91.0 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 6.1% during this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Kazakhstan's rice exports in terms of volume were Russia, accounting for 34.3% of exports, Tajikistan with 33.4%, and Uzbekistan at 13.0%. Together, these three countries represented 80.7% 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

In 2020, the value of rice exports from Kazakhstan stood at 28 546 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 15.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 29.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.0%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 19.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for Kazakhstan's rice exports in value terms were Tajikistan, representing 32.1% of exports, Russia at 28.6%, and Uzbekistan with 12.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 73.6% 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 rice to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, K t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kazakhstan imported {value_last_year} thousand tons of rice, which is 57.0% lower than the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 22.0 thousand tons, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 124.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was the dominant market for Kazakhstan's rice imports in terms of volume, accounting for 79.0% of total flows, while other countries collectively made up the remaining share.

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 data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes reached their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of rice imports into Kazakhstan totaled 5 416 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decline of 56.1% compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 12 336 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 108.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Russia clearly dominated Kazakhstan's rice imports in value terms, accounting for 83.2% of total flows, while other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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