Kazakhstan's Dairy Industry Overview

The dairy sector in Kazakhstan is a crucial part of the national economy, with efforts underway to achieve self-sufficiency in dairy production by 2027. Currently, the country produces around 5.4 million metric tons of milk annually, reflecting a commitment to enhancing its dairy capabilities.

Milk Production and Dairy Cattle

In 2024, Kazakhstan's milk production increased by 4.2% from January to October. The nation manages approximately 1.9 million dairy cattle, leveraging advanced technologies such as the DeLaval OptiDuo robotic feed pushers to improve feeding efficiency. The establishment of 38 new dairy farms in 2024 has contributed to a 21% increase in milk production over the past five years, with the cattle population rising by 15,960.

Milk Processing and Product Manufacturing

Kazakhstan processes about 4.1 million metric tons of milk every year, producing around 39,000 metric tons of cheese and 28,000 metric tons of milk powder and whey. Key players in the industry include the Rakhmanovskiy Dairy Plant, KazMilk, and Kapchagay Milk Plant.

Export and Import Dynamics

The country exports roughly 65,000 metric tons of dairy products annually, focusing on markets in Central Asia and Russia, while importing about 35,000 metric tons, primarily from Europe and Russia. In 2023, Kazakhstan expanded its export portfolio by sending cream cheese to Greece and Poland, although it remains a net importer of essential dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, butter, and milk fats.

Significant Industry Events

In 2024, Kazakhstan set a record by exporting 9,800 tons of ice cream from January to November. The North Kazakhstan Region invested KZT 17 billion (approximately $36 million) in modern dairy farms to boost annual production by 70,000 tons. Additionally, the Central Asian Dairy Congress AqAltyn is scheduled for late 2024 in Turkestan.

Market Dynamics

Dairy consumption in Kazakhstan is on the rise, with an annual per capita milk consumption of 265 kg. The out-of-home sector is expanding, although there is a noted decline in the production of fermented products like cheese and cottage cheese. Regions such as Turkistan, Zhambyl, Almaty, and Shymkent are experiencing significant population growth.

Challenges and Growth Potential

A major challenge for the industry is that 87% of veterinary laboratories do not meet international standards, affecting product quality and export capabilities. However, the preparation of over 20 million tons of animal feed for winter 2025-2026 showcases the sector's potential, driven by the eco-friendliness and quality of its products.

Industry Achievements

Between January and August 2025, butter production increased by 15%, and fermented dairy products by 6.4%. Gross agricultural production rose by 3.4% to 3.6 trillion tenge, with livestock production increasing by 3.2% to 2.26 trillion tenge. During this period, Kazakhstan produced 696,200 tons of meat, 2.63 million tons of milk, and 3.01 billion chicken eggs. Kazakh producers also achieved notable success at the Mondial du Fromage et des Produits Laitiers 2025 World Championship, winning multiple medals.

Kazakhstan's Milk Self-Sufficiency Situation

While Kazakhstan fully supplies itself with raw milk, it relies on imports for deeply processed products like butter, cheese, and cottage cheese. Domestic butter consumption increased by 27% over the first seven months of 2025, reaching 20 thousand tons.

Opening of a Modern Veterinary Laboratory

A modern veterinary laboratory has been established in the East Kazakhstan region as part of an intergovernmental agreement with China. This facility aims to enhance the competitiveness of domestic products and ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products.

Innovations and Animal Feed Market

Farms established by investors in Kazakhstan use automation to provide transparent, verifiable data and reduce human error. The share of breeding cattle has reached 12%, facilitated by subsidies, preferential loans, and tax incentives. The animal feed market is experiencing rapid growth, with exports reaching 1.7 million tons by the end of January-August 2025, primarily to China.

Strengthening Agricultural Ties with Iran

Kazakhstan is enhancing agricultural ties with Iran, including the establishment of a dairy plant by the Iranian Solico Group with a production capacity of 200,000 tons per year. Kazakhstan is also a major exporter of grain to Iran, with significant trade turnover in the agribusiness sector.

Local Flavors and Market Trends

Local flavors are being modernized in Kazakhstan, with companies like UMAMI and Gormolzavod introducing products that incorporate traditional ingredients. The country remains a relatively affordable market for coffee, ranking 77th out of 103 countries in terms of cappuccino prices as of January 2026.

Kazakhstan’s Ice Cream Market

The ice cream market is rapidly transforming, with new players and rising consumer expectations. In 2025, ice cream production reached 63.2 thousand tonnes, a 22% year-on-year increase. For the first time, ice cream exports exceeded imports, totaling 13.6 thousand tonnes.

Livestock and Poultry Exports

From January to November 2025, Kazakhstan exported over 1 million head of livestock and poultry, valued at $26.8 million. The major exports included domestic poultry, horses, and pigs, with significant imports from Russia. The production of processed liquid milk and cream reached 665.2 thousand tons by the end of 2025, meeting 95.1% of domestic market demand and export needs.

Traditional Dairy Products

Kumys production in Kazakhstan increased by 11.8% in January-February 2026, totaling 215 tons, while shubat production decreased by 22.2%, totaling 206 tons.

Modified: 2026/03/27