Exports - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 79

Meat Exports

Kazakhstan Meat Exports Surge in 2025

Kazakh meat producers surpassed their total 2024 export figures within the first 10 months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2024, Kazakhstan boosted exports of processed beef by 1.4 times to more than 22,000 tons, and lamb by 2.2 times to 18,000 tons. These milestones were exceeded in 2025. Between January and October, beef exports rose 1.7 times year-on-year to reach 30,200 tons, while lamb exports increased 1.9 times to 25,500 tons. “This growth is due to high demand for high-quality Kazakh meat from foreign partners,” the ministry stated. In 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture implemented several measures aimed at expanding export markets and strengthening Kazakhstan’s presence in the global meat trade. Negotiations with seven countries resulted in the signing of 16 veterinary certificates. New export channels were opened for a range of products, including: Milk, beef, lamb, poultry, honey, and fish to Azerbaijan Live cattle to Mongolia Animal feed to Morocco Hides and wool of ungulates to Iran Additionally, the European Union opened its market to Kazakhstani beekeeping products. Efforts are also underway to expand exports to 12 more countries, including Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, the UAE, Jordan, and Pakistan. Discussions are ongoing with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Hong Kong regarding potential exports of dairy products, feed, and honey. The ministry highlighted veterinary welfare as a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s export strategy. A nationwide modernization program is currently in progress: 400 new veterinary stations have been constructed and 890 units of specialized equipment and machinery procured. A key development is the opening of a modern veterinary laboratory in East Kazakhstan, supported by China. This facility will help unlock exports of livestock products, including cattle hides, poultry meat, and by-products, to the Chinese market. Required protocols have been signed, and Kazakh enterprises have already passed the necessary inspections. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also preparing to enter the Turkish market, where Kazakh beef prices could be roughly double those in China.

wildlife

Kazakhstan to Permit Limited Saiga Horn Exports Under Strict Controls

Kazakhstan plans to begin limited and strictly regulated exports of saiga antelope horns, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, as reported by Nege.Aqsha. Minister of Ecology Yerlan Nysanbayev emphasized that unrestricted trade is not under consideration. He stated that exports will be allowed only under rigorous regulation, with restrictions on both volume and export mechanisms. A three-year quota system is expected to be implemented. A critical condition for authorizing exports is the establishment of a traceability system. Kazakhstan aims to integrate its national tracking database with China’s, enabling the monitoring of saiga horn derivatives from the point of harvest to final processing. Nysanbayev noted that this system has been under development since 2023. All harvested saiga horns are currently microchipped and individually registered to minimize the risk of illegal trafficking. The legal basis for these potential exports stems from a decision at the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), held in Samarkand from November 24 to December 5. While this decision does not trigger automatic exports, it provides Kazakhstan with a legal framework to manage regulated trade in accordance with international agreements. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Ecology has finalized a national roadmap for managing the saiga population. As of May 2025, Deputy Minister of Ecology Nurken Shabiev confirmed the roadmap's completion, although the accompanying biological justification was still under preparation. “As many as they are ready to process will be seized to prevent a repeat of last year's experience, when there was damage in some places,” a ministry spokesperson said. Between July and November 2025, approximately 196,000 saigas were culled in Kazakhstan, with the carcasses transferred to local processing facilities. Kazakhstan is home to three main saiga populations, Betpakdala, Ural, and Ustyurt which together account for more than 90% of the global saiga population. As of March 2025, the total population in Kazakhstan stood at 4.1 million, a dramatic increase from the historical high of 1.2 million during the Kazakh SSR period. The saiga antelope has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2002. A nationwide moratorium on hunting and trade in saiga parts remained in effect until 2024. However, the sharp population increase led authorities to transition from a blanket ban to a model of regulated harvesting. The renewed interest in saiga horn exports is also driven by persistent demand in traditional Chinese medicine, where the antlers are highly valued.

Cotton

Turkmenistan Considers Cotton Exports to Kyrgyzstan

Turkmenistan is exploring the possibility of exporting cotton to Kyrgyzstan as part of a broader effort to jointly develop the textile industry, according to Danil Ibrayev, a member of the presidium of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Business Council and President of the Kyrgyz Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. He shared the update during an interview with Birinchi Radio. Ibrayev noted that both countries are currently discussing practical mechanisms for supplying Turkmen cotton to Kyrgyz enterprises, where it would be processed into finished textile products. These products could then be sold domestically or exported, including to other EAEU member states. “Turkmenistan produces large volumes of cotton. We are now discussing how to organize its delivery to Kyrgyzstan and develop textile production here,” Ibrayev said. The initiative aligns with Kyrgyzstan’s strategy to revitalize its light industry by securing stable sources of raw materials. Turkmenistan, meanwhile, is seeking to diversify export routes for its agricultural commodities, with cotton remaining a vital component of its economy. Experts cited by local media suggest that such cooperation could deepen industrial integration within Central Asia and reduce dependence on textile imports from outside the region. With growing demand for locally produced goods and the expansion of import substitution policies, regional partnerships are gaining strategic significance. Last year, Kyrgyz officials emphasized the government's commitment to expanding domestic textile production and actively sourcing raw materials from neighboring states. Cotton processing was identified as one of the quickest pathways to job creation and increased exports through value-added manufacturing.

Coal

Kyrgyzstan Government Temporarily Bans Road Coal Exports as Shipments to China Surge

On December 3, the government of Kyrgyzstan imposed a six-month ban on the export of coal by road transport. The restriction aims to stabilize the domestic market amid rising demand and does not apply to shipments passing through the Irkeshtam and Torugart checkpoints on the border with China. Despite its environmental impact, coal remains a critical fuel source for winter heating in Kyrgyzstan, which continues to face chronic electricity shortages. In an effort to curb domestic price increases, the government introduced temporary state regulation of coal prices in September, effective for 90 days. While domestic needs remain high, coal is also a key export commodity. China has emerged as a growing destination for Kyrgyz coal, with exports reaching 11,600 tons in September 2025, the highest monthly volume recorded this year, according to China’s General Administration of Customs. Data from the National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyzstan shows that in 2024, the country exported 1.1 million tons of coal worth $52.7 million. Uzbekistan remained the largest buyer, importing 996,600 tons. However, exports to China surged to 118,200 tons, up from just 13,000 tons in 2023. In late November, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev visited the Torugart border checkpoint and the newly opened Torugart-1 coal mine, which began operations on November 12. Kyrgyzkomur OJSC, the national coal company, holds the exploration license for a 557.6-hectare section of the deposit in the At-Bashy District of Naryn Province. Total reserves are estimated at 423,400 tons. Kasymaliev instructed officials to ensure stable operations at the site and to initiate coal exports from the Torugart-1 mine as soon as possible.

Exports

Kazakhstan Boosts Animal Feed Exports to China

Kazakhstan has significantly increased its exports of compound animal feed to China, even as shipments of unprocessed grain have declined, according to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway operator. The shift in export dynamics is attributed to China’s record 700-million-ton grain harvest in 2025. In response to domestic supply, the Chinese authorities have tightened grain import regulations and introduced customs restrictions. As a result, Kazakhstan’s grain export structure has shifted toward processed goods with higher added value, most notably, compound animal feed. Animal feed is in high demand within China’s livestock sector and receives priority clearance at border checkpoints. This preferential treatment has contributed to a notable surge in Kazakh feed exports. During the first two months of the current marketing year (September-October 2025), KTZ transported 873,000 tons of grain for export, including 672,000 tons of animal feed, a 3.5-fold increase compared to the same period last year. Overall grain exports to China, however, rose 35% year-on-year to 3.5 million tons between January and October 2025, reflecting a shift toward higher-value processed goods rather than bulk grain. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Kazakhstan continues to export most of its grain to countries across Central Asia and the Caucasus, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan.

Exports

Kazakhstan’s Cement Exports to Uzbekistan Plunge Amid Customs Dispute

Cement exports from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan have fallen sharply in recent months, with industry officials blaming a sudden change in Uzbek customs policy. According to Yerbol Akimbayev, head of the Cement and Concrete Producers Association of Kazakhstan (QazCem), new customs rules imposed by Tashkent are significantly disrupting cross-border trade. Speaking to Forbes Kazakhstan, Akimbayev said Uzbek authorities now require Kazakh cement imports to be declared at $300 per ton, ten times the actual sale price of roughly $30 per ton. “Taxes should reflect the real import price. Setting the customs declaration at $300 has made exports economically unfeasible,” he stated. The new pricing rule comes at a difficult time for Kazakhstan’s cement industry, which is already grappling with overcapacity and shrinking export opportunities. The country currently operates 16 cement plants with a combined annual capacity of 18 million tons, while domestic demand has stagnated between 11.5 and 12 million tons over the past five years. Even with demand growing by 15-20% this year, roughly 2 million tons, production still far exceeds consumption. “Operating plants can already produce 17 million tons, and our technical capacity is around 18.5 million tons,” Akimbayev explained. “With new facilities under construction, we could soon reach 22 million tons. That leaves us with about 6 million tons in excess capacity, exports are essential for industry viability.” While Russia remains Kazakhstan’s top cement supplier, followed by Iran, Uzbekistan has become an increasingly important export market in recent years. However, Akimbayev argues that the recent policy shift undermines fair competition and could destabilize the regional cement market. “This isn’t about competition, it’s about clear and objective rules,” he said. “Our producers meet strict quality and safety standards. It’s only fair that importers face similar conditions. When we addressed this imbalance in 2019, the number of import certificates issued dropped by 95%, exposing the scale of shadow trade.” The impact is already being felt across Kazakhstan’s cement sector. A plant in the Kostanay region declared bankruptcy earlier this year, and another in the Akmola region is facing financial strain. At the same time, three new factories are under construction, adding further pressure to an oversupplied market. “Foreign investment is welcome, but it should target sectors that align with the country’s actual needs, like data centers or airports, not industries already in crisis,” Akimbayev warned. Industry leaders in Kazakhstan are urging both governments to resolve the dispute and reestablish stable trade conditions for cement exports.