BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 20. Kazakhstan's exports grew by 19.5% year-on-year in January-August 2026, more than four times the 4.5% increase in imports, with the country's trade surplus reaching $17.8 billion, according to data from the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan's foreign trade turnover reached $103 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12.8% compared to the same period in 2025.
Exports totaled $60.4 billion, while imports amounted to $42.6 billion. The trade surplus widened to $17.8 billion, compared with $9.8 billion in January-August 2025.
The country's agricultural sector recorded notable export growth, with increases in both agricultural raw materials and processed products.
Exports of sunflower oil rose by 48.5% year-on-year to $672.8 million. In physical terms, shipments increased by 35.9% to 611,400 tons.
In 2025, Kazakhstan ranked among the world's top six sunflower oil exporters and was the second-largest supplier to China. The country also ranked among the top three suppliers of sunflower meal to the European Union and China and supplies a significant share of demand in Central Asian countries, according to the ministry.
Wheat exports increased by 26.5% to $1.25 billion. More than 5.5 million tons of grain were shipped abroad, up 13.8% compared to the same period last year.
Exports of wheat and wheat-rye flour reached $400 million, an increase of 36%. In volume terms, shipments grew by 22.8% to 1.38 million tons.
Flaxseed exports more than doubled in value, rising 2.3 times to $387.8 million. Physical shipments increased 2.5 times to 780,800 tons.
Exports of prepared animal feed products also increased. Their value rose by 60.8% to $577.6 million, while shipment volumes grew by 44.2%.
Combined exports of sunflower oil, flour and prepared animal feed products reached $1.65 billion, up approximately 48% in value compared to January-August 2025, reflecting growth in exports of processed agricultural products.
Outside agriculture, export revenues from metals and mining products also increased. Shipments of copper and copper cathodes rose by 55.7% to $3.9 billion, while uranium exports increased by 26.9% to $3.1 billion.
On the import side, Kazakhstan increased purchases of industrial and energy equipment. Imports of electric generating sets rose by 86.5% to $916.5 million, while imports of turbojet and turboprop engines, including gas turbines, increased 3.3 times to $611 million.
China remained Kazakhstan's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $23.3 billion in January-August 2026, accounting for 22.7% of the country's total foreign trade turnover. Russia ranked second at $18.3 billion, followed by Italy at $11.8 billion. Together, the three countries accounted for more than half of Kazakhstan's foreign trade.
Italy was Kazakhstan's largest export destination, with shipments totaling $10.9 billion, slightly ahead of China at $10.7 billion. Russia remained the largest supplier of imported goods to Kazakhstan, with imports amounting to $13.2 billion.
"The growth in exports of agricultural products, primarily sunflower oil, flour and prepared animal feed, indicates an expansion in supplies of value-added goods and the potential for further strengthening the position of Kazakh products in foreign markets," the ministry said.
Kazakhstan is seeking to diversify its exports by reducing dependence on a narrow range of commodities and expanding supplies of non-resource goods to foreign markets. Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aset Nusupov told Trend in an exclusive interview that the country sees significant potential for expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan in the agro-industrial and industrial sectors.
"Kazakhstan is one of the largest producers of grain, oilseeds and meat, while Azerbaijan represents a growing market; therefore, the potential for mutual food trade remains significantly underutilized," Nusupov said.
