Kazakhstan has become one of the largest importers of Russian meat.

In 2025, export revenue of Russian meat producers reached an all-time high, surpassing the $2 billion mark for the first time. For the Central Asian market, this trend was marked by a sharp increase in the presence of Russian products in Kazakhstan, which showed one of the highest growth rates in purchases among key partners.

In a Nutshell

• Kazakhstan increased meat imports by 36%, entering the top five main buyers of Russian meat products.
• Total export revenue reached $2.2 billion, 21% higher than the previous year's figures.
• Pork showed a record surge, with sales increasing by 41% and nearly matching poultry meat volumes.
• The geography of Russian meat supplies expanded to 100 countries, including new markets in Southeast Asia and Africa.

Dynamics and Structure of Regional Supplies

According to the federal center "Agroexport," in 2025 Russia shipped meat and offal to foreign markets totaling nearly $2.2 billion. A significant transformation is observed in the export structure: while poultry meat previously dominated ($946 million), pork has now come close, with revenue reaching $943 million.

Kazakhstan, along with China and Belarus, forms the core of demand. The dynamics of purchases by Kazakhstani companies (+36%) indicate a high integration of the food markets of the two countries and the competitiveness of Russian prices. Meanwhile, beef showed more moderate growth of 2%, reaching a volume of $249 million.

[INSERT MEDIA FROM POST]

Global Expansion and New Markets

China retains its status as the largest partner with a purchase volume of $682 million, but the geography of Russian exports continues to actively diversify. In 2025, the Philippine market was opened for pork and poultry supplies, and a multiple-fold increase in interest from African states was recorded.

Key Buyers in 2025

• China — $682 million (+22%)
• Belarus — $433 million (+50%)
• Saudi Arabia — $273 million (+21%)
• Vietnam and Kazakhstan round out the top five in terms of revenue volume

The growth of supplies to Africa became a separate trend of the year: exports to Benin increased 7-fold, to Gabon — 6-fold, and to Ghana — 5-fold. Industry experts attribute such figures to the active work of exporters in expanding their product range and adapting products to the requirements of the markets of the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia.

Author's Conclusion

Such a significant increase in imports of Russian meat into Kazakhstan (by 36%) underscores the republic's role as one of the priority markets for Russian producers amid global expansion. For Kazakhstan's domestic market, this means increased competition, which in the short term may restrain the growth of retail prices, but simultaneously requires local farmers to improve production efficiency to maintain their positions. However, given export restrictions, this could have a negative effect on players in the meat industry, and the market may reorient itself towards import flows.