Fishery Sector Thrives in Kazakhstan with Rising Exports

Kazakhstan’s fishery sector recorded nearly 59,400 tons of processed fish from January to November 2025, contributing to a total market volume of 76,800 tons, marking a 10% increase compared with 2024.

Fish catches reached 38,500 tons, while aquaculture production totaled 20,900 tons, demonstrating steady growth, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.

The country has 72 fish processing enterprises, 20 of which are authorized to export to the European Union. Kazakh fish products are exported to countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, and China.

Government support measures, such as reduced VAT and low-interest loans, are helping to further boost production and processing in the sector, strengthening Kazakhstan’s presence in the global fishery market.

Sustainability remains a priority. In 2024, the 108,600-hectare Caspian Seal Nature Reserve was established to protect the species, and modernization of the Atyrau sturgeon hatchery is set to increase fry production, reported the Agriculture Ministry on Jan. 8.

Investment in the sector totaled 4.6 billion tenge (US$9 million) in the first 11 months of 2025, and under the state program, nearly 22 million fish fingerlings of valuable species were produced. The sector’s growth, modernization, and sustainability measures are strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in domestic and export markets.