ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 17. The Interdepartmental Commission on Foreign Trade Policy and Participation in International Economic Organizations, in its decision dated April 16, 2025, has authorized the elimination of export customs duties on hides and wool from agricultural animals for three years, with a possibility of subsequent review, Trend reports via Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture.
According to the information from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture, the main reason for this decision is the low demand for a significant portion of the raw materials produced on the domestic market. In particular, the processing and export of hides and wool from agricultural animals remain at a low level.
"In order to stimulate the agricultural processing industry and ensure the capacity utilization of processing enterprises, state support is being considered in the form of subsidies for raw materials delivered for processing. The abolition of export customs duties on hides and wool will primarily contribute to reducing losses and disposal costs for livestock breeders engaged in raising cattle and small livestock, the development of full-fledged production and sales chains, expanding markets, and creating additional competitive advantages for domestic producers and exporters of agricultural raw materials," the ministry explained.
Currently, according to the order of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MNE RK) from February 27, 2016, the applicable export duties are: for the export of hides of cattle and small livestock and other unprocessed hides—200 euros per ton; for the export of wool—10 percent, but no less than 50 euros per ton.
To ensure a balance between the needs of the domestic market and the export of hides and wool, the Ministry of Agriculture will conduct regular monitoring of the situation and, if necessary, take prompt action, including considering potential investment projects in the processing sector.