Kazakhstan secured second place among suppliers of sunflower oil to China in 2025, capturing a 36% market share. This was announced by Yadkar Ibragimov, Chairman of the National Association of Oilseed Processors (NAOP), speaking at the international conference Chinese Grains & Oils Congress 2026 in Shanghai, Kazinform news agency reports.
According to the Association's data, exports of Kazakh oil and fat products to China showed significant growth in 2025:
|
Indicator |
Value |
Growth |
|---|---|---|
|
Export volume |
440,000 tons |
+44% |
|
Revenue |
$312 million |
+37% |
|
Sunflower oil market share |
36% |
2nd place |
These results reflect growing trust from Chinese partners in the quality of Kazakh products and the effectiveness of established trade connections.
A key factor behind the export growth was improved logistics efficiency. As Yadkar Ibragimov noted, since early 2024, NAOP and JSC "NC "KTZ" (Kazakhstan Railways) have launched a pilot project for transshipping vegetable oil through the Dostyk–Alashankou border crossing.
"Since that period, fulfillment of shipment plans toward China has exceeded 90%, whereas in 2023 this figure did not surpass 40%," the Association head emphasized.
Route optimization and coordination among industry stakeholders have significantly reduced delivery times and increased supply predictability.
In March 2026, cooperation between NAOP and KTZ advanced further with the launch of a pilot project to coordinate export plans for granulated sunflower meal to China. Shipments are carried out in grain trucks using a previously tested mechanism successfully applied for vegetable oil deliveries.
This step opens new opportunities for diversifying exports in the oilseed sector and increasing the added value of Kazakh products in foreign markets.
The successful development of exports to China aligns with Kazakhstan's strategic goals of expanding its presence in Asia-Pacific markets. The oilseed industry, which possesses significant production potential, is viewed as one of the drivers of the country's non-commodity exports.
The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted that further development of logistics infrastructure and harmonization of phytosanitary requirements with Chinese standards will be priorities for 2026.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
March 10, 2026