Aidarbek Saparov: Livestock to Become Key Growth Driver for Kazakhstan's Agricultural Sector by 2026

In 2025, the gross agricultural production volume reached 9.8 trillion tenge, marking a 5.9% increase.

The growth in production has strengthened the industry's export positions. Over the past ten years, agricultural exports have reached $7 billion, which is 37% higher than the previous year.

"In 2026, livestock should become the new development driver. A Comprehensive Livestock Development Plan has been approved with funding exceeding 300 billion tenge. Its implementation should address the key task of providing access to affordable credit resources across the entire production chain," said Aidarbek Saparov.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the development of livestock will be ensured by expanding preferential lending mechanisms, similar to the programs supporting the sowing campaign.

As reported by Almat Ashirbekov, Chairman of the Board of JSC "Agrarian Credit Corporation," over the past ten years, financing for the agricultural sector has increased 6.4 times — from 169 billion tenge in 2015 to 1.083 trillion tenge in 2025.

Specifically, last year:

• 700 billion tenge was allocated for sowing and harvesting operations at an annual rate of 5%,

• more than 100 billion tenge — for replenishing the working capital of processing enterprises,

• 12 billion tenge — for financing feedlots,

• 269 billion tenge — for leasing agricultural machinery.

In 2026, further expansion of industry financing is planned, including:

• loans at 5% for processing enterprises and feedlots,

• loans at 6% for the development of pedigree livestock breeding.

By the end of 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture aims to ensure a 5% increase in gross agricultural production and a 6% increase in food production.