From Liquid Milk to Dry Ingredients: Which Product Categories Shape Kazakhstan's Dairy Market

Among the main milk suppliers in 2024 were Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus, as well as Iran and France. This configuration shows that the basic dairy category remains one of the key areas for both internal processing and external market supplementation.

Fermented dairy products also constitute a major segment. Their imports in 2024 amounted to 36,614 tons, making this category one of the most substantial on the market after drinking milk. In this market segment, supplies from Russia and Kyrgyzstan, as well as products from other countries, play a significant role, indicating high demand for fermented dairy products and their importance for processors.

A separate processing segment is formed by cheese categories, the expert reported. 

Cheese imports in 2024 amounted to 11,356 tons, fresh cheeses — 6,361 tons, and processed cheese — 3,598 tons. Together, this shows that the cheese sector remains an independent and large segment of the market, featuring both classic natural products and more technologically advanced and price-sensitive categories. The main suppliers in these segments are Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, and Iran, depending on the type of product.

Dried milk ingredients also play a significant role in the processing structure. According to the presentation data, imports of skimmed milk powder in 2024 amounted to 15,937 tons, whole milk powder — 4,124 tons, and whey — 6,001 tons. 

According to Mikhail Mishchenko, the fat and oil segment in dairy processing also remains significant. 

In 2024, butter imports amounted to 8,822 tons. Additionally, the presentation highlighted the import of dairy-containing products with milk fat substitutes at a level of 19,638 tons and palm oil at a level of 1,099 tons, reflecting the presence of dairy-containing and combined products alongside classic dairy processing.

Also, according to the presentation materials, the volume of Kazakhstan's dairy market decreased to 4.878 million tons in 2025 compared to 5.380 million tons in 2024. In 2022, the market was estimated at 5.645 million tons, and in 2023 — at 4.776 million tons. Thus, after a recovery in 2024, the market has again moved towards a decline.