Import of Belarusian dairy products to Kazakhstan exceeded $37 million in the first quarter

Imports of Belarusian food products to Kazakhstan remain highly specialized: nearly half of the total value is concentrated in two categories — cheese and curd ($16.7 million), as well as beef ($16.4 million). Another 12% comes from sausages and processed meats ($8.9 million), 12% from milk and cream ($8.4 million). The remaining 11% is made up of butter ($4 million) and canned meat ($3.3 million).

Particularly notable is the surge in beef imports: supplies of Belarusian beef doubled in value over the year, contributing $8.2 million to the total increase of $17.7 million. Belarus accounted for 83% of Kazakhstan’s total beef imports, which overall grew to $19.7 million.

At the same time, there was a significant rise in Kazakhstan’s beef exports — up 80%, reaching $24.2 million. Previously, for four consecutive years, imports during the January–March period consistently remained below $55 million, while average annual imports from 2021 to 2024 did not exceed $230 million.

It is also noted that during the past four years, imports of Belarusian goods in the January–March period steadily remained under $55 million, with average annual imports between 2021 and 2024 not exceeding $230 million.

The import surge coincided with a noticeable rise in domestic beef prices in the first quarter. Analysts previously attributed this to increased demand from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as a weakening of the tenge, which made exports more attractive for local farmers.

Despite the positive trend, Belarus is still not among the largest food suppliers to Kazakhstan: its share in total imports is around 5%. In comparison, Russia accounts for nearly half of all imports — 48% ($650.1 million, up 13.2% year-on-year).