Exports - The Times Of Central Asia

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Agriculture

Kazakhstan Doubles Honey Exports in 2025

Kazakhstan’s beekeepers nearly doubled their honey exports in 2025, with neighboring Uzbekistan emerging as the primary destination, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Official data show that Kazakhstan exported 1,477 tons of honey in 2025, compared to 603 tons in 2024. The majority of shipments, 1,264 tons, or 85.6% of total exports, were delivered to Uzbekistan. Kazakh honey was also exported to Canada, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States. A trial shipment was sent to Oman for the first time. Amid rising exports, imports declined sharply. In 2025, honey imports totaled 262.4 tons, down from 1,663 tons in 2024. The Ministry of Agriculture attributes this decrease to increased domestic production and the strengthening position of local producers. Kazakhstan produces approximately 5,000 tons of honey annually. Nearly half of this volume, 2,300 tons, comes from private subsidiary farms, while 2,700 tons are produced by large enterprises. Beekeeping is most developed in the East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Almaty, and Turkestan regions, as well as in the Abai and Zhetisu regions. These regions account for around 241,000 bee colonies, more than 90,000 of which have breeding status. State support measures include production subsidies. The Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that the sector’s development is being pursued systematically. In 2024, a roadmap for the industry’s development for 2025-2027 was approved, and amendments to the laws “On Beekeeping” and “On Breeding Livestock” were drafted. In April 2025, the proposed amendments were submitted to parliament. According to the ministry, the legislative changes are intended to increase transparency in the sector, strengthen breeding programs, and enhance the competitiveness of Kazakh honey in foreign markets, thereby creating a foundation for further export growth and rural development. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the Hungarian company Aranynektár Kft announced in 2024 plans to build a honey processing plant in Kazakhstan to facilitate exports to European Union countries.

Economic Growth

Central Asia Records Over 6% Growth as Trade with Russia Expands

Central Asian economies concluded 2025 with growth exceeding 6%, significantly outpacing major developed markets such as the United States and the Eurozone, where expansion stood at approximately 1.6% and 1.1%, respectively, according to Turkish newspaper Yeni Şafak. The figure aligns with the World Bank who puts regional expansion at 6.2% and the Eurasian who Development Bank (EDB) estimates growth at 6.6%. Economists attribute the region’s performance to strong domestic demand, active state investment programs, infrastructure development, and rising exports of raw materials and industrial goods. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan accounted for the largest contributions to overall growth, supported by large-scale public investment initiatives and expanding foreign trade. By contrast, the U.S. and European economies experienced slower growth amid high interest rates, inflationary pressures, and weaker consumer demand. Uzbek economist Mirkomil Kholboyev, writing on his Telegram channel, said the trend reflects deeper structural factors. “In general, the average real growth in Central Asia has almost always been higher than in the United States or Europe, with the exception of 2021,” he wrote. “Beyond short-term effects, lower-income countries like ours tend to grow faster than high-income economies. In wealthier countries, the return on additional capital has declined, while in our region capital remains scarce, allowing investments to generate higher returns. Demographic growth is also higher here, and the steady expansion of the labor force serves as an additional driver of economic growth.” Trade data indicate that Central Asia’s economic ties with Russia have strengthened in recent years. In 2021, the region accounted for 3.2% of Russia’s imports. By the first 10 months of 2025, that share had risen to 4.6%. Over the same period, Central Asia’s share of Russian exports increased from 5.6% to 7%. Overall, during the first 10 months of 2025, Central Asia ranked as Russia’s third-largest import partner and fourth-largest export destination. Before the war in Ukraine, the region ranked seventh among Russia’s import partners and fourth in exports. Although Russia’s economy remains significantly larger, reaching approximately $2.1 trillion in 2024 and exceeding the combined size of Central Asian economies by about 4.4 times, the increase in trade shares over the past four years is notable. Kholboyev also noted that part of the rise in imports is attributable to re-export activity.

public transport

Kazakhstan’s Falcon EuroBus to Supply 600 Electric Buses to Pakistan

Falcon EuroBus, founded in 2018 in Almaty, has signed an agreement with Pakistan to supply 600 electric buses. The deal is one of the largest export contracts for Kazakhstan’s engineering industry in the public transport sector. Falcon EuroBus produces a range of buses that meet European quality standards. The company’s current production capacity stands at 1,500 buses per year, with plans to expand it to 3,000 units. Uzbekistan and Mongolia have already expressed interest in its products, and Pakistan has now joined that list. A memorandum on the supply of electric buses was signed between Falcon EuroBus and Pakistani carrier OGCC International at the Kazakhstan–Pakistan business forum in Islamabad, held during the state visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The first deliveries are scheduled to begin in April. The contract covers 600 electric buses and is valued at $108 million. By 2027–2028, the company plans to increase exports to Pakistan to 2,000 buses, including vehicles designed for transporting schoolchildren. “We carry out the full production cycle for buses. For us, this is an entry into a large market. In addition to the current contract, agreements have been reached on the prospects of supplying 2,000 school buses,” said Murat Adilkhanov, chairman of the board of directors of Falcon EuroBus. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration described the agreement as strategically important for promoting the Made in Kazakhstan brand and expanding exports of high-tech products. A total of 32 commercial documents were signed at the forum. Samruk-Kazyna JSC and Pakistan’s Fauji Group agreed to establish a joint investment platform. Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation reached an agreement on cooperation in multimodal transport. Kazposhta signed memoranda with Pakistan Post and TCS Private Limited. The Aktau Seaport and the Port of Karachi also agreed to expand cooperation. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that more than 171,000 vehicles were produced in Kazakhstan in 2025, a record for the industry. Output of commercial vehicles, including buses, reached 12,200 units, up 8% year on year.

Copper

Kazakhstan Reshapes Copper Export Flows Amid Rising Global Demand

As global demand for copper continues to increase, driven by energy transition and the digital economy, Kazakhstan, a major global producer, is not only increasing its output but also significantly reshaping its export geography. Analysts at Energyprom.kz have examined the current shifts in the sector and the evolving landscape of Kazakhstan’s copper exports. With its substantial reserves and a developed metallurgy sector, Kazakhstan is well positioned to benefit from this strategic opportunity. According to preliminary data from the National Statistics Bureau, the country produced 471,000 tons of refined copper in 2025, an increase of 7,100 tons, or 1.5%, from 2024’s 463,900 tons. This suggests a gradual stabilization of the industry following previous fluctuations. Production trends over recent years have been inconsistent. In 2018, Kazakhstan produced 442,600 tons of refined copper. Output rose 7.7% to 476,500 tons in 2019 and grew modestly in 2020 to 482,900 tons (+1.3%). However, production dropped sharply in 2021 to 403,300 tons, a decline of 16.5%, due to major repairs and upgrades at key processing facilities, including a furnace overhaul at the Balkhash Copper Smelter operated by Kazakhmys Smelting LLP, and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. By 2024, output had rebounded to 474,900 tons, up 17.8% from the 2021 low, signaling the industry’s return to pre-crisis levels. Despite global demand, Kazakhstan’s total exports of refined copper declined in 2025. However, the structure of those exports shifted notably. Deliveries to Turkey rose from 142,200 to 164,000 tons, an increase of 21,800 tons, or 15.3%. Turkey’s share of Kazakhstan’s copper exports rose from 32.5% to 40.9%, making it the country’s second-largest export destination. Combined, China and Turkey accounted for about 90% of Kazakhstan’s copper exports from January to November 2025, indicating a still high level of market concentration. However, exports to other countries grew 4.4 times from 9,200 tons to 40,100 tons, raising their share from 2.1% to 10%. This points to early signs of diversification. These shifts in Kazakhstan’s export strategy coincide with major developments in global demand. According to a forecast by S&P Global, global copper consumption is projected to grow from 27.3 million tons in 2024 to 42.3 million tons by 2040, an increase of 15 million tons, or approximately 55%. The primary drivers include electric vehicles, renewable energy development, power grid upgrades, artificial intelligence, data centers, and rising defense sector needs. By 2040, copper use in the energy transition sector is expected to more than double from 7.6 million tons in 2024 to 15.6 million tons. Copper demand for AI and data centers is forecast to rise from 1 million to 2.5 million tons. Even traditional sectors like construction and mechanical engineering will grow, projected to increase from 17.8 million to 23.3 million tons. China will remain the world’s largest consumer of refined copper. According to Fitch Solutions, Chinese demand is expected to rise from 15.9 million tons in 2023 to 18.9 million tons by 2028, an increase of 19%, or more than 3 million tons. This would allow China to maintain a...

Export

Kazakhstan Targets Top Three Global Rank in Sunflower Oil Exports by 2028

Kazakhstan is aiming to become one of the world’s top three exporters of sunflower oil and raise its total exports of oil and fat products to $1 billion by 2028, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration. Russia remains the global leader in sunflower oil exports, having shipped 4.4 million tons last year. In comparison, Kazakhstan achieved record results in 2025, exporting over 523,400 tons of sunflower oil between January and October, 2.4 times more than its domestic sales. These exports generated $532 million in revenue, placing Kazakhstan among the top ten sunflower oil exporters globally. To further increase output and climb into the top three, the government is shifting from fragmented support measures to a coordinated industry strategy, focused on building integrated export chains. The first meeting of the Export Headquarters for the Promotion of Non-Resource Exports in 2026 was held yesterday in Astana, chaired by Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aidar Abildabekov. Officials discussed new strategies for expanding agricultural exports and overcoming systemic barriers faced by domestic producers in foreign markets. In 2025, a roadmap for the development of the oil and fat industry for 2026–2028 was finalized. It included an assessment of over 30 enterprises engaged in oilseed cultivation and processing in the northern, eastern, and southeastern regions, including the Abai, East Kazakhstan, Akmola, Zhetysu, and Almaty regions. The roadmap outlines concrete targets to improve processing capacity utilization, broaden export destinations, and position Kazakhstan among the top three global sunflower oil exporters by 2028. Key challenges addressed include rail cargo prioritization, phytosanitary and veterinary controls, registration of Kazakh firms in Chinese trade registries, reimbursement of export costs, and access to financial instruments for state support. Yadykar Ibragimov, a representative of the National Association of Oilseed Processors, emphasized that the roadmap provides a strategic foundation for industry growth. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan significantly increased its sunflower oil exports to Afghanistan as early as 2023.

Trade

Uzbekistan Signals Possible Retaliation Over Increased Trade Costs in Tajikistan

Uzbekistan may introduce reciprocal measures in response to trade barriers impacting its exports to Tajikistan, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev announced on January 17 during a meeting of entrepreneurs, ambassadors, and government officials in Tashkent. Khodjaev highlighted challenges faced by Uzbek exporters, particularly in the construction materials sector, despite full compliance with required documentation. “We have problems related to Tajikistan. We export products to this market, but even when all documents are complete, our goods are cleared under a so-called ‘reserve’ procedure,” he said. “As a result, the price of our products in that market rises by about 15%.” Meeting participants reported that additional charges imposed at Tajik customs are inflating the cost of Uzbek construction materials and reducing competitiveness. Khodjaev warned that if such restrictions are not lifted, Uzbekistan may respond with similar trade measures. The issue was also raised by representatives of German construction materials giant Knauf. The company’s commercial director noted that exporters face similar obstacles not only in Tajikistan but also in Turkmenistan and parts of the Caucasus region. In Tajikistan’s case, the “reserve” customs clearance procedure was cited as a key driver of increased costs. “This is pushing the price of our products in the Tajik market up by as much as 15%,” the representative said. Entrepreneurs stated that combined logistics and customs costs for shipments to Tajikistan have surged from approximately $2,000 to $12,000. Despite multiple appeals to Tajik authorities, they said no resolution has been achieved, and the elevated costs are undermining export volumes. “If they impose duties, we can do the same,” Khodjaev stated. “Our customs officials will talk to their counterparts. If this practice continues, we will take response measures. Our ambassador should clearly convey this signal.” Despite the ongoing friction, trade between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan surpassed $700 million in 2024, nearly three times higher than in previous years. Both governments have indicated they are exploring new logistics corridors and simplified customs procedures to deepen bilateral economic ties.