Whey market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

The whey market in Kazakhstan experienced substantial growth, with its volume increasing from 14 633 t in 2018 to 20 575 t in 2020. This expansion was followed by a period of stabilization, as the market size hovered around 20 000 t, reaching 19 810 t by 2023.

The market's growth was supported by a strong rise in domestic production, which more than doubled from 6 825 t to 11 168 t over the period. Imports also contributed significantly, peaking at 10 991 t in 2021 before gradually declining to 8 642 t in 2023, which helped balance the overall supply.

Production whey in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Kazakhstan's whey production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 9.9 K t of whey, which represents a 25.7% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 59.2%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 16.8%.

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

Exports whey from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at just 3 t, with the largest decline that year at 95.0%. In 2019, exports surged by 1,335.5%, reaching their peak in 2020 at 120 t—a sharp increase of 142.3% from 2019. The gap between the highest and lowest export volumes was substantial, with 2020's figure being 35 times higher than 2018's.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan dominated Kazakhstan's whey exports in volume terms. Russia accounted for 29.9% of exports, while Afghanistan and Uzbekistan each contributed 24.8%. Together, these three countries made up 79.5% 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

The market experienced notable volatility during this time. Exports in value terms reached their minimum in 2018 at 9 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 94.4%. In 2019, exports jumped by 454.1%, and by 2020, Kazakhstan exported 89 K $ US of whey, marking a sharp year-on-year increase of 79.5%. The difference between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2018 was 18-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan were consistently the top destinations for Kazakhstan's whey exports in value terms. Russia led with 54.9% of exports, followed by Afghanistan at 17.2% and Kyrgyzstan at 16.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 88.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports whey to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

Kazakhstan's whey imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 10 752 t, up by 12.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 46.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Belarus, and Poland were the leading sources of whey imports to Kazakhstan in volume terms. Russia accounted for 42.6% of imports, Belarus for 35.7%, and Poland for 6.1%. Together, these three countries represented 84.4% of total import 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

Kazakhstan's whey imports in value terms have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 5 817 K $ US, an increase of 8.2% over the past year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 817 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 19.1%. In 2019, imports saw the biggest jump at 57.0%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 37.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania played key roles in Kazakhstan's whey imports in value terms. Russia accounted for 41.7% of imports, Belarus for 33.6%, and Lithuania for 6.8%. Combined, these three countries made up 82.1% of total import value.

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

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