Kazakhstan receives 1,765 breeding sheep from Australia for two farms
Astana International Airport received the larger of the two consignments: 1,100 Dorper sheep purchased by Ereimentau-Astyk-2014 LLP, a limited liability partnership based in the Akmola region. The shipment marks the start of a project under which the farm plans to acquire a total of 4,000 head of sheep and goats. The purchase is being financed through the Bereke programme, which provides concessional loans for agricultural investment projects.
The Dorper is a meat breed known for its early maturity and meat quality. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the imported animals will help increase flock productivity and improve the commercial characteristics of the output. The projects aim to establish breeding operations for valuable breeds within Kazakhstan. The ministry links the shipments to the creation of a domestic breeding base for meat sheep farming.
Another 665 animals were received by Eco Lamb LLP, based in the Gabit Musrepov district of the North Kazakhstan region. This consignment comprised 497 Australian White sheep and 168 Dorper ewes. The company plans to establish a breeding farm for Australian White sheep. It is intended to supply Kazakh farms with breeding stock and reproduce high-performance animals.
The breeds were selected on the basis of their genetic potential, early maturity and meat production characteristics. Australia has experience in commercial sheep farming, selective breeding and lamb production. The Kazakh businesses’ projects involve using imported livestock for subsequent breeding within the country. The breeding farm being established by Eco Lamb will systematically reproduce animals with valuable inherited traits, with plans to supply the resulting breeding stock to other domestic farms.
The purchases form part of the Comprehensive Livestock Development Plan for 2026–2030. Its priorities include increasing farm animal productivity, strengthening the breeding base and supporting domestic selective breeding. The document also provides for increased livestock production and expanded processing and export capacity. One of its priorities is to establish a domestic system for reproducing breeding livestock using animals purchased abroad.
Discussions on modernising Kazakhstan’s sheep industry by drawing on Australian experience were already taking place in 2023. Industry representatives considered the use of modern technologies, improvements to animals’ genetic characteristics and more efficient pasture use.
