Russia increases exports of agricultural products to Kazakhstan 1.4-fold in H1 2026 to 4.6 mln tonnes - Agroexport

MOSCOW. Sept 15 (Interfax) - Russia exported 4.6 million tonnes of agricultural products to Kazakhstan in H1 2026, up 1.4-fold year-on-year, while export revenue grew 24% and reached $2.1 billion, the Agroexport federal center told Interfax.

According to preliminary data, Kazakhstan took third place among the largest buyers of Russian food products in H1, overtaking Belarus in terms of the value of shipments.

The largest export revenue in this period came from supplies of wheat, sugar, chocolate, sunflower oil and flour products. Wheat was exported for a sum of more than $213 million in January-June, up 4.3-fold YoY. Sugar shipments increased 14% to $181 million, while chocolate confectionery products rose 27% to $144 million. Sales of sunflower oil grew almost 1.5-fold to $135 million, and sales of bread and flour confectionery products were up 10% to $133 million.

In addition, corn exports to Kazakhstan increased tenfold in H1, bran exports rose threefold, barley exports increased 2.2-fold, cat and dog food exports were up almost 1.8-fold, live animal exports increased 29%, potato chip exports rose 25%, exports of mayonnaise and other sauces grew 22%, and exports of pasta products rose 14%.

"Kazakhstan is one of Russia's most important trading partners in the agricultural sector, just as Russia is the largest supplier of agricultural products for Kazakhstan. The absence of customs-related, financial and other restrictions allows for the effective development of mutual trade. In addition, scientific and technical cooperation is strengthening, including in the field of biotechnology, selection and genetics," the head of Agroexport, Ilya Ilyushin, was cited as saying by the center's press service.

One of Russia's active exporters of its products to the Kazakh market is EkoNiva Group. Almost 2,000 tonnes of ultra-pasteurized milk, cream, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter, as well as yogurts and curd snacks were shipped in H1, a representative of the company said. In addition, seeds from the group's varietal portfolio are in demand in the country - spring wheat, spring barley, soybeans, peas and flax. "In 2025, the varieties sold by EkoNiva showed good results in state demonstration trials and were entered into Kazakhstan's state register, which became a good argument for expanding cooperation with local farmers," the company said.

Products of Timosha LLC, based in the Moscow region, have been present on the Kazakh market for more than ten years. Confectionery products (oriental sweets) as well as canned fish are supplied to the country, said the head of the regional development department, Murad Shikhshabekov. The products are sold in all sales channels. In 2024, a direct contract was concluded with one of Kazakhstan's large retail chains, Small.