Key facts
- Kazakhstan produced 521.2 thousand tons of vegetable oil in January-July 2025, a 24% increase from the previous year.
- Sunflower oil production grew by 24.5% to 457.7 thousand tons in the same period.
- Oilseed acreage in 2025 increased by 1.055 million hectares, a 36% rise.
- Vegetable oil exports rose by 29% in 2024, with China and Uzbekistan accounting for over 77% of deliveries.
- Kazakhstan's 88 oil processing plants have a total annual capacity of 4.7 million tons but are utilized at approximately 35%.
Kazakhstan is experiencing a significant boom in its oilseed processing sector, with vegetable oil production rising by 24% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This surge is attributed to farmers increasingly planting more profitable oilseed crops, leading to record expansion of sown areas. Sunflower oil, in particular, saw a 24.5% output increase.
The country's agricultural diversification strategy appears to be yielding results, with oilseed acreage growing by 36% in 2025, driven by substantial increases in sunflower, flax, and rapeseed cultivation across key regions like Pavlodar and Kostanay. This expansion in domestic production is further supported by strong export performance, which grew by 29% in 2024, with China and Uzbekistan being the primary destinations.
Despite the impressive growth, Kazakhstan's 88 oil processing plants, with a combined annual capacity of 4.7 million tons, are currently operating at only about 35% utilization. This suggests considerable untapped potential for further output increases if raw material supply remains robust. The trend indicates Kazakhstan's growing importance in the global food market.