Kazakhstan's Dairy Industry Overview

Kazakhstan's dairy industry is rapidly evolving, achieving notable advancements in technology and infrastructure that have significantly enhanced its capacity both domestically and internationally.

Milk Production and Dairy Cattle

The country's dairy sector is supported by approximately 1.9 million dairy cattle, contributing to an impressive annual milk production of about 5.4 million metric tons. This production is crucial to the national economy, positioning Kazakhstan as a central figure in the regional dairy market. Between January and October 2024, milk production saw a 4.2% increase, bolstering the country's status in the dairy sector.

Milk Processing and Product Manufacturing

Annually, Kazakhstan processes around 4.1 million metric tons of milk using sophisticated processing technologies. The diverse production outputs include approximately 39,000 metric tons of cheese and a combined production of about 28,000 metric tons of milk powder and whey each year.

Key Enterprises in the Dairy Market

The industry features several prominent dairy plants, such as the Rakhmanovskiy Dairy Plant, KazMilk, and Kapchagay Milk Plant. Leading dairy farms include AgroProdukt KZ, DanAgroZhi, and Dariya Ltd., which play significant roles in maintaining the sector's growth and production efficiency.

Export and Import of Dairy Products

Kazakhstan exports approximately 65,000 metric tons of dairy products annually, primarily to Central Asia and Russia. Simultaneously, it imports about 35,000 metric tons, mainly from Europe and Russia, ensuring a balanced trade flow. Notably, in 2023, Kazakhstan expanded its cream cheese exports to Greece and Poland.

Significant Events in the Dairy Industry

• The introduction of DeLaval OptiDuo robotic feed pushers has improved feeding efficiency and yields.
• The Central Asian Dairy Congress AqAltyn is scheduled for late 2024 in Turkestan, with AqAltyn 2025 set to take place on November 24–25 in Kazakhstan.
• From January to November 2024, ice cream exports reached a record 9,800 tons.
• Public dining prices have increased, with fast food prices up 12.7% over the past year.
• The North Kazakhstan region invested KZT17 billion (approximately $36 million) in modern dairy farms, aiming to augment production by 70,000 tons annually.
• Dairy industry investments are projected to reach 200 billion tenge by 2025.
• By the end of 2024, Kazakhstan became the third-largest market for Belarusian agricultural products and foodstuffs.
• Imports of food products from Belarus to Kazakhstan in the first quarter of 2025 increased by 33% year-on-year.
• A pilot dairy farm project based on Belarusian technologies has been launched in the Akmola Region.
• LLP “Maslo-Del,” the only enterprise in Kazakhstan with production in both the dairy and fat-and-oil industries, proposes an excise tax on palm oil to support domestic producers and protect food security.
• Kazakhstan will finance 141 dairy farm projects with a total investment of 200 billion tenge.
• Vice Minister of Agriculture Yermek Kenzhekhanuly announced during a press conference the measures being taken to attract investment into Kazakhstan's agro-industrial complex and to implement priority sectoral projects.

Modified: 2025/05/18