Kazakhstan’s Fishery Sector Drives Growth and Food Security

Kazakhstan’s fishery sector is emerging as a major driver of economic growth, employment, and food security.

Under the Fisheries Development Programme 2021-2030, the Fisheries Committee is boosting fish farming, domestic consumption, and restoration of natural aquatic populations, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

In the first 11 months of 2025, the country’s fish products market reached 76,800 tons - a 10 per cent increase over the same period in 2024. Of this, 38,500 tons came from wild catches and 20,900 tons from commercial aquaculture, which grew by 22 per cent.

Kazakhstan has 20 water bodies of national and international importance, with 366 designated fishing areas. The industry includes 72 processing enterprises with a combined capacity of around 120,000 tons per year, 20 of which are authorized to export to the EU. Fish products are supplied to 21 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, and China.

In 2025, approximately 59,400 tons of finished fish products were released. The government plans further support measures, such as a 70 per cent VAT reduction and preferential loans at 5 per cent per annum to expand processing.

Biodiversity conservation is a priority: the Caspian Itbalygy State Nature Reserve, covering 108,600 hectares, was established to protect the Caspian seal population. The Atyrau Sturgeon Factory is being modernized, raising annual juvenile sturgeon production from 5 million to 7.5 million.

Investment in the sector remains strong: 87 aquaculture projects worth 21.4 billion tenge ($41.969 million) were implemented between 2021 and 2024, and 4.6 billion tenge ($9.021 million) was invested in the first 11 months of 2025. Additionally, 21.92 million juveniles of valuable fish species were released in 2025, and hatchery modernization will increase production capacity from 18.4 million to 80.5 million fish stocking units per year.

The report also notes that neighboring Uzbekistan imported around 12,200 tons of fish and seafood in the first 10 months of 2025.