Kazakhstan Ramps Up Vegetable Oil Production Amid Cropland Expansion

Kazakhstan is experiencing a robust increase in vegetable oil production, driven by expanded oilseed cultivation and improved processing capacity.

From January to August 2025, the country produced 594,900 tons of vegetable oil, marking a 27 per cent rise compared to 468,500 tons during the same period in 2024. Sunflower oil, Kazakhstan’s primary vegetable oil product, saw a similar increase-climbing 27.2 per cent from 411,900 tons to 523,900 tons, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

This surge in output is supported by the expansion of oilseed crop areas. The land under cultivation grew from 2.9 million hectares in 2024 to 4 million hectares in 2025, including 1.7 million hectares planted with sunflower.

The leading oilseed-producing regions include North Kazakhstan (23.3 per cent), Kostanay (23 per cent), Pavlodar (12.5 per cent), Abai (10.2 per cent), Akmola (9.2 per cent), and East Kazakhstan (7.7 per cent).

In 2024, Kazakhstan harvested 3.3 million tons of oilseeds-up 53 per cent from 2.1 million tons in 2023.

A total of 88 oilseed processing enterprises are currently operating across the country, with a combined annual processing capacity of up to 4.7 million tons. Last year, vegetable oil production reached 757,100 tons-an increase of 12.6 per cent from 2023. Of that total, sunflower oil accounted for 640,300 tons, up 19.2 per cent year-on-year.

Vegetable oil exports also posted strong gains in 2024, rising 29 per cent compared to the previous year. The main buyers were China (42.4 per cent), Uzbekistan (35.4 per cent), Tajikistan (12.7 per cent), Afghanistan (3.2 per cent), Kyrgyzstan (1.4 per cent), and other markets including Latvia and Turkmenistan (1.8 per cent).

Officials say the sustained growth reflects Kazakhstan’s strategic investments in expanding arable land, modernizing agro-processing infrastructure, and enhancing state support for the agricultural sector.

In related news, Kazakhstan also reported a successful grain harvest in 2024, totaling 12.7 million tons.