Astana (TDI): Kazakhstan has set an ambitious goal to rank among the world’s top three exporters of sunflower oil by 2028, as it seeks to boost total exports of oil and fat products to $1 billion, the Ministry of Trade and Integration said.
Russia currently leads global sunflower oil exports, shipping 4.4 million tons last year. Kazakhstan, however, posted record results in 2025, exporting more than 523,400 tons of sunflower oil between January and October, 2.4 times its domestic sales. Export revenues reached $532 million, placing the country among the world’s top ten exporters.
To move into the top three, the government is shifting from fragmented support measures to a coordinated industry-wide strategy focused on building integrated export chains. This approach was discussed at the first 2026 meeting of the Export Headquarters for the Promotion of Non-Resource Exports, held this week in Astana and chaired by Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aidar Abildabekov.
Officials reviewed a newly finalized 2026–2028 roadmap for the oil and fat industry, covering more than 30 oilseed-producing and processing enterprises across northern, eastern and southeastern regions, including Abai, East Kazakhstan, Akmola, Zhetysu and Almaty.
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The roadmap outlines targets to raise processing capacity utilization, diversify export markets and address systemic challenges such as rail cargo prioritization, phytosanitary controls, access to state financing, and registration of Kazakh firms in foreign trade systems, including China.
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Industry representatives say the strategy provides a solid foundation for sustained growth, as Kazakhstan continues to expand its presence in regional and global sunflower oil markets.
