New Kazakh Fish Processing Plant Exports Aral Fish to Europe

A new fish processing plant has opened in Kazakhstan’s Kyzylorda region, signaling continued progress in efforts to revive the fishing industry in the Aral Sea basin, once the site of one of the world’s most devastating environmental disasters. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the facility, located in the Aral district, has the capacity to process up to 6,000 tons of fish annually. Outfitted with modern equipment, the plant focuses on producing environmentally sustainable fish products that comply with international quality and safety standards. Its primary export, pike perch fillets, is shipped to markets in Germany, Denmark, and Norway. Kazakhstan currently operates 72 fish processing plants, 20 of which are licensed to export to the European Union. The country’s fishing sector has been buoyed by ongoing efforts to restore the Northern Aral Sea. Formed in 1987 during the large-scale desiccation of the original Aral Sea, the northern section has been preserved and partially replenished following the construction of the Kokaral Dam. Earlier this year, The Times of Central Asia reported a record increase in the sea’s water volume. Rising water levels have expanded the surface area, reduced salinity, and facilitated the return of 22 fish species to the ecosystem. The annual catch in the Northern Aral now reaches approximately 8,000 tons, creating new economic opportunities for local communities. Kazakhstan’s fishing industry continues to show steady growth. In 2024, the country produced 94,600 tons of fish products, a 7% increase compared to 2023. Of this total, 45,200 tons came from natural water bodies, while 18,200 tons were farmed. In the same year, Kazakhstan exported 23,400 tons of fish products worth $74.7 million to 21 countries, reflecting rising global demand for sustainable fish from the Aral region.