Kazakhstan Does Not Produce Enough Milk for Itself: Mikhail Mishchenko Outlines Key Challenges and Forecasts for the Industry

Gross Milk Yield in Kazakhstan Over the Past Three Years:

• 2022: 1.92 million tons of milk delivered for processing

• 2023: 2.07 million tons

• 2024: 2.29 million tons (an increase of +10.6% compared to 2023)

However, the dairy processing industry requires at least 3.2 million tons per year, emphasized Mikhail Mishchenko.

Regional Structure of Milk Consumption and Sales Also Reveals a Significant Gap:

In 2024, the leading regions by gross milk consumption were:

• Almaty Region — 348 thousand tons

• Turkistan Region — 331 thousand tons

• Shymkent — 284 thousand tons

• Nur-Sultan (Astana) — 223 thousand tons

• Zhambyl Region — 195 thousand tons

• Karaganda Region — 178 thousand tons

• East Kazakhstan Region — 204 thousand tons

Meanwhile, organized sales (through retail chains and processing channels) accounted for:

• Almaty — 294 thousand tons

• Astana — 209 thousand tons

• Shymkent — 165 thousand tons                                                                                                                      “The southern regions and major cities are the key consumption centers for dairy products, but they are also the areas facing the most acute shortage of raw milk for processing,” noted the expert.

Imports Continue to Fill Domestic Gaps.
By the end of 2024, Kazakhstan had imported:

• 37 thousand tons of powdered milk

• 23 thousand tons of cheese and curd

• 10 thousand tons of butter

In comparison:

• In 2022, powdered milk imports totaled about 32 thousand tons

• In 2023 — around 35 thousand tons

• Imports of cheese and butter also show steady growth

Milk Production Still Dominated by Household Farms,
but according to Mikhail Mishchenko, this segment is marked by low raw milk quality, which limits its suitability for industrial processing.

Key Industry Challenges Identified by the Expert:

• High share of small-scale production

• Low technological level of farms

• Logistical difficulties in several regions

• Insufficient farmer motivation for cooperation

• Limited access to financial resources for modernization

Nevertheless, the situation is gradually improving.
An 18% increase in gross milk collection over two years confirms the sector’s potential.

Mishchenko forecasts that with active government support and investment, Kazakhstan can increase processing volumes and reduce import dependence.

“To achieve self-sufficiency, Kazakhstan needs an additional 500–700 thousand tons of high-quality milk annually. This is a realistic goal with a comprehensive approach — supporting farmers, developing processing infrastructure, and improving logistics,” he concluded.