In accordance with the instruction of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to double the gross agricultural output, the Ministry is taking systemic measures to develop the sector.

At a Government session, the Head of the Ministry Aidarbek Saparov reported that in recent years, livestock farming has shown positive dynamics across key indicators. It accounts for about 40% of gross agricultural output.

In the first five months of this year, the growth rate of the industry’s production volumes amounted to 104.2%.

This growth was ensured by an increase in meat production (slaughter weight) by 3% and cow’s milk by 7.5%.

The highest meat production by agricultural enterprises was recorded in Almaty and Akmola regions; for milk – in North Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions.

The number of all types of livestock continues to grow steadily. Since the beginning of the year, the cattle population increased by 23.4%, small ruminants – by 7.8%, horses – by 12.2%, camels – by 8.5%, poultry – by 2.2%.

The volumes of production allow to fully meet the domestic demand for beef and lamb and to increase export volumes.

By the end of 2024, beef exports increased 1.4 times and amounted to more than 22 thousand tonnes, lamb – 2.2 times and amounted to 18 thousand tonnes.

Since the beginning of the year, the production of processed livestock products has also increased, including sausage products – by 11.3%, canned meat – by 27.5%, chilled and frozen offal – by 41.9% and 47.1%, respectively.

However, issues of import dependence for certain product positions remain unresolved. In this regard, a number of measures are being implemented aimed at the gradual development of the sector.

In beef cattle farming, it is planned to launch concessional lending for the purchase of breeding cattle and small ruminants – so-called “long-term” loans with an annual interest rate of 5%. The financing need is 50 billion tenge.

A working capital lending program is also being prepared for launch in the same amount – 50 billion tenge – with an interest rate of no more than 5%, similar to financing under the Spring Field Work program.

The Ministry is reducing the level of import dependence for dairy products through loans for the construction of modern farms at an annual rate of 2.5% – a program replicating the experience of North Kazakhstan Region.

If in 2019 there were only 19 such farms, the program provided for the construction of another 116 dairy farms. 69 of them have already been commissioned, and 47 are under implementation. The launch of all 116 farms will increase milk production by 600 thousand tonnes per year and will allow to eliminate the issue of import dependence.

Given the significance of the program for import substitution purposes, regional akimats must ensure the commissioning of all facilities.

Potential participants of the program replicating the North Kazakhstan Region experience include projects on the implementation of the Australian model in beef cattle farming. Their implementation will provide for the export of up to 50 thousand tonnes of meat with annual revenue of about 500 billion tenge. For the implementation of 14 projects based on the Australian model, 29.3 billion tenge has been allocated.

Other sectors of livestock farming are also receiving attention. For example, within the framework of poultry product import substitution, over the past 5 years, self-sufficiency in poultry meat has increased from 58% to 80%. Full self-sufficiency is expected to be achieved in the future.

For the comprehensive development of livestock farming, not only production volumes are increasing, but also the added value of the sector.

Projects on the processing of hides and wool are being implemented. These include “KAFELTEK” LLP – a project for the production of thermal insulation materials from wool in Aktobe Region; and “Iskefe Holding” LLP in Almaty – for the production of gelatin from livestock hides.

In addition, to increase foreign currency earnings, export customs duties on hides and wool have been abolished. As of today, 15 active exporters of hides and wool have increased raw material procurement, confirming the demand for the measures taken.

The Ministry also keeps the issue of forage preparation for the upcoming winter under special control. To date, 6.3 million tonnes of hay have been prepared by the regions, or 25.7% of the plan, and 487.4 thousand tonnes of haylage, or 28.6%.

The development of livestock farming is closely linked to the state of veterinary safety. In accordance with the President’s instructions, measures are being taken to modernize the veterinary service and strengthen biosecurity.

As a result of the ongoing work, the incidence of animal diseases has decreased by 49.1% over the past 3 years, and by 56.3% this year compared to the same period last year.

Thanks to the achieved epizootic well-being, the statuses of the southeastern regions of Kazakhstan have been restored and recognized for a number of diseases (foot-and-mouth disease, African horse sickness, classical and African swine fever, and highly pathogenic avian influenza). Temporary restrictions by China on avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease have been lifted, and Russia has lifted restrictions on foot-and-mouth disease in the southeastern zone.

62 Kazakhstani enterprises are registered in the European Union registry. This year, Kazakhstan received official permission to export honey to EU countries, and work is underway to open exports of aquaculture products, horsemeat, and milk.

There are 2,649 Kazakhstani enterprises registered in China’s export registry. In 2025, a protocol on poultry meat was signed with China.

Veterinary certificates have been signed with Georgia and Iran. The expansion of livestock product export markets with Türkiye, Afghanistan, and Pakistan continues.

Regarding material and technical infrastructure: out of 206 veterinary stations located in district centers, 72 do not have their own buildings.

Indicators for modernization and construction of veterinary facilities are included in the Roadmap for the implementation of the President’s instructions. In 2024, according to the Roadmap, 107 veterinary points were built; in 2025, construction of another 323 is planned.

The positive experience of Zhetysu Region, Zhambyl Region, and North Kazakhstan Region should be noted, where 137 veterinary points were commissioned using budget funds and private investment.

Regarding special transport: in 2024, akimats purchased 327 units, and 346 units are being procured for 2025. At the same time, Pavlodar Region, Abai Region, and Ulytau Region have not allocated funds for this purpose.

As for laboratory equipment: in 2024, 9 liquid chromatographs were purchased. The equipment allows a significant increase – from 5 to 70 – in the number of substances subject to control.

To further strengthen the laboratory base, another 54 units of laboratory equipment need to be purchased.

In addition, in East Kazakhstan Region, within the framework of an intergovernmental agreement between Kazakhstan and China, the Chinese side supplied 99 units of equipment worth $1.5 million. The laboratory will enable domestic producers to export products to China without obstacles.

To ensure food safety in Kazakhstan, 64 veterinary control checkpoints are in operation.

Since the beginning of the year, 28,500 vehicles have been inspected, of which 547 were turned back for violations of veterinary and sanitary requirements, and penalties were imposed.

Since 2022, a digital transformation of livestock tracking processes has been underway. The “E-Agro-Industrial Complex” platform is being developed to integrate all agricultural information systems.

To ensure traceability in livestock farming, the Ministry is systematically working to automate the entire life cycle of farm animals based on the ISZH platform with 7 additional services.

Each animal has an individual number, and all data and veterinary procedures are recorded. Farmers and veterinarians use electronic services, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.

“The implementation of these measures is only possible if livestock owners maintain full and accurate records of their herds. In this regard, it is necessary to strengthen control over livestock registration and tighten liability, including criminal responsibility, for unscrupulous livestock suppliers and buyers of livestock products without proper veterinary documents,” Aidarbek Saparov said at the Government session.

Further transformation of the veterinary sector involves improving legislation related to digitalization, safety and traceability of transported goods, strengthening veterinary and sanitary control over cargo, expanding the powers of local executive bodies, and reducing budget expenditures on ear tags by transferring their procurement to organized farms.

#Agriculture #Agroindustrial complex #Government session

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