For decades, Kazakhstan’s role in the global agricultural market has been defined by its vast expanses of wheat and its export of raw grain. Today, that identity is undergoing a radical transformation. Driven by a national strategy to capture greater value from its harvests, Kazakhstan is poised to increase its deep-processing capacity for grains from 500,000 tons to 2.5 million tons per year within three years—a fivefold surge that will reposition it on the world stage.
This shift is a direct response to global trends. According to a 2023 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), demand for processed agricultural derivatives—including starches, proteins, sweeteners, and bioethanol—is growing steadily, driven by the food, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries. By moving into this value-added space, Kazakhstan aims to insulate its economy from the volatility of raw commodity prices and secure a more profitable and sustainable position in the agri-food chain.
The current industrial landscape, while significant, is just the foundation. Three major plants form the existing backbone:
- Zharkent Starch Plant: Processing 150,000 tons of corn annually.
- AsiaAgroFood: Processing 60,000 tons of corn.
- BioOperation: Processing 300,000 tons of wheat into products like gluten and bioethanol.
The ambitious expansion is fueled by a pipeline of four major projects slated for launch by 2028, representing significant foreign direct investment and technological transfer:
- TOO “Kazkrakhmal”: A $57 million corn processing plant in Turkistan region (100,000 tons capacity, 2026).
- Tiryaki Agro & Hassad Food: A Turkish-Qatari venture for processing 330,000 tons of grain and peas, targeting export markets with starch, gluten, and syrups.
- Fufeng Group (China): A monumental $350 million investment in the Zhambyl region with a planned capacity of 1 million tons of grain, one of the largest of its kind in Central Asia.
- TOO “Qostanai Grain Industry”: A $108.7 million complex in the grain-rich Kostanay region (415,000 tons capacity, 2027) to produce high-tech outputs like lysine, gluten, and bioethanol.
Critically, this growth is underpinned by substantial state support. In 2025 alone, 44.3 billion tenge (approximately $93 million USD) has been allocated under the “Agrobusiness” program, offering loans at a preferential 5% annual rate. This financial backing has already catalyzed 30 projects with 14.5 billion tenge, with 34 more approved and 17 under consideration.
Furthermore, the government is creating a robust export ecosystem. In collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, over 20 financial and non-financial support instruments are available, including an export accelerator program for SMEs and subsidies for transport costs. This ensures that the output from these new mega-facilities can competitively reach international markets.
Kazakhstan’s aggressive push into deep processing is more than a domestic policy; it is a strategic recalibration with global ramifications. By leveraging its raw grain production, attracting foreign investment, and implementing strong government support, the country is transforming itself from a bulk commodity exporter into a crucial supplier of high-value agricultural ingredients. For farmers, this could mean new premium offtake contracts for specific grain varieties. For agronomists and engineers, it presents opportunities in specialized crop management and advanced processing technologies. For the global market, it signals the emergence of a new, diversified competitor in the agri-processing sector, one that could alter supply chains for vital food and industrial components.
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