Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2026

18. Kazakhstan

Main findings

Support to agriculture

Total agricultural support (Total Support Estimate, TSE) declined slightly from 1.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the early 2000s to 1.6% in 2023-25. Support to farmers as a percentage of Gross Farm Receipts (GFR) in Kazakhstan averaged 18.6% in 2023-25, up from 8.8% in 2000-2002.

The share of potentially most distorting support decreased from 96% in 2000-02 to 75% in 2023‑25. Market Price Support (MPS, both transfers to farmers and from farmers to consumers) and payments based on variable input use without constraints dominate this support. Transfers to farmers were estimated to be worth 12% of GFR on average for estimated commodities, while transfers from farmers to consumers worth 3% of GFR; both forms of MPS likely have wider market effects on other commodities due to substitution and trade. Transfers borne by farmers are driven by measures that lower prices, including setting maximum prices for specific commodities, and export restrictions. Measures including export and processing support generate transfers to farmers MPS. Transfers borne by farmers through lower prices occurred for producers of sunflower, rice, pig meat, eggs, beef and veal, and maize; commodities with the largest positive transfers to farmers were for wheat, barley, milk and cotton.

Support based on variable input use and fixed capital formation accounted for most budgetary transfers to producers. In total, budgetary producer support amounted to about 10% of GFR in 2023-25.

Support to general services (General Service Support Estimate, GSSE) accounted for 3.5% of the value of agricultural production in 2023-25, up from 2% in 2000-02. Spending on inspection and control and agricultural knowledge and innovation accounted for 38% and 36% of GSSE respectively.

Key policy changes in 2025-26

In 2026, the new Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan was introduced. It raised the rate of the standard VAT rate to 16%, and also reduced the tax for consumers and farmers through exempting socially significant foods from VAT, and increasing the VAT offset to farmers and co‑operatives. The tax code also introduced measures which may have distributional implications including reducing the personal income tax rate for farmers exceeding income thresholds, excluding property donation to farms from taxable income, and increasing the land use fees for inefficient production.

The 2025 amendments to the Land Code reduced the period of non-use after which agricultural land may be forcibly seized, basing monitoring on satellite remote sensing. Lease contracts for agricultural land are now subject to mandatory review every 10 years, and lease of state-owned land is provided exclusively through electronic auctions

In 2026, Kazakhstan eased retail price controls for socially significant foods, abolishing maximum prices and reorienting efforts to monitoring compliance with the 15% trade margin limit. The list of socially significant food products was temporarily expanded from 19 to 31, and a “digital food voucher” was introduced for recipients of state social assistance.

Russia’s temporary restrictions on imports of agricultural products, including wheat, from Kazakhstan, implemented in October 2024 on phytosanitary grounds were lifted in April 2025. New Russian restrictions on Kazakhstan grain supplies were introduced in April 2025 and were lifted in October 2025 following negotiations. Additionally, Kazakhstan introduced a temporary state support mechanism for export logistics in 2025 to provide transportation subsidies for grain exports.

Assessment and recommendations

• Strengthen transparency and equity in land tenure by enhancing recently adopted digital lease competitions, while introducing clear selection criteria, independent oversight and safeguards against land concentration. Ensure that monitoring land use using remote sensing and land seizure are complemented by field verification and appeal mechanisms to prevent abuse and unjust land seizure.

• Rebalance agricultural tax policy to improve equity and efficiency by phasing out elements that disproportionately benefit large farms, such as exclusion of property donations to farms from taxable income and the large increase in land use fees for inefficient agricultural land. Closing tax benefits to wealthier producers offers opportunities to raise funds that may be used to support the development and productivity of small farms.

• Extend digitalisation efforts to systematically publish data on subsidy distribution for support programmes to improve transparency and reduce corruption risks as done with GosAgro for subsidised diesel fuel distribution. This can help ensure that support paid to financial institutions and input manufacturers reaches producers.

• Reform production-based subsidies by removing conditions based on production levels and replacing them with more predictable, practice-based support focused on soil health and input efficiency. Farmers cannot reliably maintain or increase production under variable weather and market conditions, so reorienting support toward soil quality, nutrient management, and sustainable practices would both reduce uncertainty and address underlying productivity constraints.

• Build on the momentum of the 2025 comprehensive agricultural census by establishing a regular agricultural census and other data collection processes to support continuous policy monitoring, targeting, and evaluation, ensuring that the newly developed statistical capacity translates into sustained evidence-based policymaking.

Key indicators on agricultural support

Table 18.1. Kazakhstan: Estimates of support to agriculture

Million USD

	2000-02	2023-25	2023	2024	2025p
Total value of production (at farm gate)	3 367	17 624	16 581	17 686	18 605
of which: share of MPS commodities (%)	76.60	60.01	60.92	59.51	59.60
Total value of consumption (at farm gate)	2 933	15 782	16 093	16 921	14 331
Producer Support Estimate (PSE)	290	3 663	3 019	4 764	3 205
Support based on commodity output	270	1 782	1 312	2 439	1 594
Market price support¹	270	1 704	1 205	2 369	1 539
Positive market price support	370	2 330	1 595	3 001	2 395
Negative market price support	-100	-626	-390	-632	-856
Payments based on output	0	78	107	70	56
Payments based on input use	20	1 754	1 594	2 161	1 508
Based on variable input use	8	938	407	1 318	1 088
with input constraints	0	0	0	0	0
Based on fixed capital formation	10	811	1 182	835	416
with input constraints	0	0	0	0	0
Based on on-farm services	2	6	5	8	4
with input constraints	0	0	0	0	0
Payments based on current A/An/R/I, production required	0	64	70	79	44
Based on Receipts / Income	0	0	0	0	0
Based on Area planted / Animal numbers	0	64	70	79	44
with input constraints	0	0	0	0	0
Payments based on non-current A/An/R/I, production required	0	0	0	0	0
Payments based on non-current A/An/R/I, production not required	0	0	0	0	0
With variable payment rates	0	0	0	0	0
with commodity exceptions	0	0	0	0	0
With fixed payment rates	0	0	0	0	0
with commodity exceptions	0	0	0	0	0
Payments based on non-commodity criteria	0	0	0	0	0
Based on long-term resource retirement	0	0	0	0	0
Based on a specific non-commodity output	0	0	0	0	0
Based on other non-commodity criteria	0	0	0	0	0
Miscellaneous payments	0	62	44	86	58
Percentage PSE (%)	8.61	18.62	16.41	23.73	15.81
Producer NPC (coeff.)	1.09	1.12	1.09	1.18	1.10
Producer NAC (coeff.)	1.09	1.23	1.20	1.31	1.19
General Services Support Estimate (GSSE)	67	613	581	685	572
Agricultural knowledge and innovation system	3	222	284	244	139
Inspection and control	29	232	224	299	174
Development and maintenance of infrastructure	28	78	34	31	168
Marketing and promotion	0	4	5	3	3
Cost of public stockholding	5	77	34	108	88
Miscellaneous	1	0	0	0	0
Percentage GSSE (% of TSE)	18.74	14.13	15.47	12.52	15.06
Consumer Support Estimate (CSE)	-314	-980	-689	-1 958	-292
Transfers to producers from consumers	-290	-974	-660	-1 857	-406
Other transfers from consumers	-21	-186	-256	-294	-7
Transfers to consumers from taxpayers	0	66	156	22	20
Excess feed cost	-4	114	71	172	100
Percentage CSE (%)	-10.73	-6.11	-4.32	-11.58	-2.04
Consumer NPC (coeff.)	1.12	1.08	1.06	1.15	1.03
Consumer NAC (coeff.)	1.12	1.07	1.05	1.13	1.02
Total Support Estimate (TSE)	357	4 342	3 757	5 472	3 797
Transfers from consumers	310	1 160	916	2 152	412
Transfers from taxpayers	68	3 367	3 097	3 614	3 391
Budget revenues	-21	-186	-256	-294	-7
Percentage TSE (% of GDP)	1.65	1.55	1.44	1.88	1.35
Total Budgetary Support Estimate (TBSE)	87	2 637	2 551	3 103	2 258
Percentage TBSE (% of GDP)	0.40	0.94	0.97	1.06	0.80
GDP deflator (2000-02 = 100)	100	1 288	1 199	1 307	1 359
Exchange rate (national currency per USD)	147.38	482.24	456.24	469.11	521.37

.. Not available

Note: p: provisional. NPC: Nominal Protection Coefficient. NAC: Nominal Assistance Coefficient.

A/An/R/I: Area planted/Animal numbers/Receipts/Income.

1. Market Price Support (MPS) is net of producer levies and excess feed cost. MPS commodities for Kazakhstan are: wheat, rice, maize, barley, sunflower, potatoes, cotton, milk, beef and veal, pig meat, sheep meat, poultry and eggs.

Source: OECD (2026), “Producer and Consumer Support Estimates”, OECD Agricultural policy monitoring (database), https://data-explorer.oecd.org/.

Policy landscape

National strategies and plans

The Concept for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of Kazakhstan (2021‑2030) (the Concept) sets key policy objectives including increasing yields, livestock farming, water use efficiency, added value in agriculture, export activities and scientific progress in farming. Policy efforts increasingly target agricultural production and processing through financing support, seed sector development, and improved digitalisation.

The Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Agricultural Processing (2024‑2028) adopted in June 2024, targets increased food production and export of processed agricultural products, and reduced import dependence. Key measures under the plan include subsidies for processed agricultural products and restrictions on raw material exports to ensure raw material availability; concessional loans and interest subsidies for capital and working capital financing to enhance production profitability; protective measures, including import restrictions on finished goods, to improve competitiveness of domestically processed products in the domestic market; and opening new markets for processed agricultural products to expand the export potential.

Under the Paris Agreement, Kazakhstan adopted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2023, the NDC was revised to include climate change adaptation goals for agriculture, water, forestry and disaster risk management. Adaptation measures for the agricultural sector include crop diversification, a gradual shift from water-intensive crops, the adoption of water-saving irrigation technologies, modernisation of irrigation infrastructure, and adjustments based on projected changes in river runoff. Additional strategies involve transitioning to organic farming, improved soil management to enhance carbon retention, adjusting livestock feed to reduce methane emissions, preventing overgrazing, and ensuring sustainable pasture management.

Support measures

Since 2022, a total of 14.3 million hectares of unused or unlawfully allocated agricultural land was returned to state ownership. The focus of land reclamation policy is shifting from recovery of land toward more accessible redistribution of returned land through electronic competitions, reintegration into agricultural use, combating soil degradation, and reducing pasture deficits around rural settlements. The Land Code introduced in 2003 sets conditions in which agricultural land may be forcibly seized (see the Recent policy developments section below regarding amendments). As an incentive to bring idle land into use, the Tax Code requires land users to pay up to 100 times higher land use fees for inefficient agricultural land use.

Support related to the use of different production inputs is a main part of Kazakhstan’s agricultural policy. Producers indirectly receive input support measures for mineral fertilisers, pesticides, agricultural machinery, and equipment. Manufacturers and financial institutions are subsidised rather than producers individually which is intended to simplify access. Subsidised diesel fuel quotas for farmers are allocated based on area sown and crop type; the diesel fuel quota allows producers to purchase diesel at a price 15% lower than retail fuel station prices. Overall, support for variable inputs make up for the largest part of the PSE representing less than half of the budgetary producer support in 2023-25.

Loan financing is supported through subsidised interest rate programmes and loan guarantees. The Agrarian Credit Corporation’s loan portfolio exceeded KZT 2 trillion (USD 3.8 billion) in 2025, servicing 70 500 producers, for fieldwork and harvesting including the purchase of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and fuel. The loan guarantee programme for fieldwork and harvesting provides guarantees covering 85% of the principal debt amount and additionally covers 9.99% of the 10% guarantee commission costs (the borrower pays a commission cost of only 0.01%). For investment loans and working capital, the guarantee covers up to 50% of the principal debt, and up to 85% for priority investment projects prior to commissioning, with a maximum loan amount of KZT 5 billion (USD 9.6 million). The guarantee mechanism is available to all agricultural producers on equal terms, regardless of their organisational-legal form or scale of operations.

Producers also receive direct support for priority crops (maize, buckwheat, sunflower, flax, rapeseed, soybeans, safflower, and sugar beet) and livestock production and processing. Priority crops are paid per tonne or hectare and differ by region. Livestock subsidies include payments for the rearing and sale of pedigree cattle and small ruminants, delivery of pigs for slaughter, wool sold for processing and marketed honey.

Price stabilisation policies target both producers and consumers. Regional stabilisation funds are used to procure products directly from domestic producers, including through forward contracts and offtake agreements with the Ministry of Agriculture setting recommended volumes. The procured products are used to form reserves and sell at social retail outlets and retail chains. Together with the border measures (see Trade Policies section), these price stabilisation policies generate the MPS pattern observed for Kazakhstan: positive support for wheat, barley, milk, beef and sheep meat, and negative support for most other PSE commodities.

Throughout 2025, Kazakhstan set threshold and maximum permissible retail prices on socially significant food products. The price setting measures were amended in 2026 (see the Recent policy developments section below).

State policies encouraging the adoption of water-saving technologies include 80% (50% from the national budget and 30% from local budgets) investment cost reimbursement and differentiated subsidy rates for water supply services. Farmers using water-saving technologies receive a reimbursement of 60‑85% for water supply services depending on tariff costs, while the rate for those not using such methods is being gradually reduced to 30‑55% by 2026. Irrigation projects are also eligible for concessional loans with 2.5% interest rates for up to 10 years.

Trade Policies

Kazakhstan is a member of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) established in 2015, together with Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation (hereafter “Russia”). Kazakhstan’s border measures are implemented within the Customs Union of the EAEU; certain national responsibilities are transferred to the EAEU, including sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical regulations. Within this framework, Kazakhstan applies its national tariff rate quotas and non-tariff measures, targeting commodities such as lower-grade beef, poultry meat, and by-products.

Recent policy developments

Domestic policy developments in 2025-26

The new Tax Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan entered into force in January 2026. The new Tax Code introduced the following provisions relevant to the agricultural sector:

• the standard VAT rate was increased from 12% to 16%

• socially significant food products are exempted from VAT

• the VAT offset for agricultural producers and cooperatives was increased to 80%

• the 3% preferential corporate income tax (CIT) rate was maintained for agricultural producers

• simplified tax reporting requirements.

The new Tax Code also introduced measures targeted to larger farms or wealthier producers, including:

• a reduced personal income tax (PIT) rate of 4.5% for farmers exceeding income thresholds

• an up to 100-fold increase in land use fees for inefficient agricultural land use

• the exclusion of property donations to farms from taxable income

• the reduction of the VAT registration threshold from KZT 80 million to KZT 40 million (USD 150 000 to USD 77 000)

• the abolition of the unified land tax.

The Land Code was amended several times in 2025. The period of non-use after which agricultural land may be forcibly seized was reduced from two years to one, with monitoring now based on satellite remote sensing. In 2025, a total of 2.2 million hectares of land were reclaimed in line with the annual plan; the 2026 land recovery plan has been set at 1 million ha. Lease contracts for agricultural land are now subject to mandatory review every 10 years, and lease of state-owned land is provided exclusively through electronic auctions.

In 2025, amendments to the 2023 land leasing regulations increased the maximum permissible sizes of agricultural land plots, with limits differentiated by region and user category. By raising plot-size ceilings, the amendment reduces the risk that large grain-producing farms will be required to divest land upon lease renewal. Additionally, land records were fully transferred to a digital cadastre system.

From 1 January 2026, the mechanism for setting threshold and maximum permissible retail prices on socially significant food products was abolished, with state control reoriented from price caps to monitoring compliance with the 15% trade margin limit. The list of socially significant food products was temporarily expanded from 19 to 31 items to improve price transparency and eliminate unproductive intermediaries. Additionally, in 2025, a “digital food voucher” was introduced as targeted non-cash support for recipients of state social assistance

The preferential leasing programme for agricultural machinery was expanded in 2025, with the volume of leasing increasing to KZT 250 billion (USD 480 million) (up from KZT 120 billion – USD 230 million – in 2024). In 2025, agricultural producers acquired 25 000 units of agricultural machinery through self-financing, leasing, and credit.

In February 2025, two new investment subsidies were introduced: “Acquisition of Mounted and Trailed Agricultural Machinery” with a 15% subsidy rate, and “Construction and Expansion of a Poultry Egg Processing Plant” with a 40% subsidy rate. Additionally, a subsidy of 25% was introduced for the purchase of drones and fan-type sprayers to support accelerated technical re-equipment of the phytosanitary service.

In 2025, per-head livestock subsidy rates increased by 73-75%, and were capped at a rate of half of the actual acquisition cost. Since 2025, amendments to production-based priority crop, livestock and processing subsidies require producers and processors receiving KZT 100 million (USD 190 000) or more in aggregate subsidies per year to maintain or increase the gross production. The gross production requirement is planned to extend to all production-based priority crop, livestock and processing subsidy recipients in 2029. Non-compliance for two consecutive years results in a one-year subsidy suspension for a first offence and two years for repeat cases.

In 2025, a digital system (GosAgro) was introduced to improve the transparency and reduce corruption risks associated with the distribution of subsidised diesel fuel.

The phytosanitary system was reformed in 2025 with the introduction of user-paid phytosanitary quarantine and expert examination. The revenue generated is used to reduce the service's dependence on the state budget and fund equipment modernisation.

To inform policy developments and improve data quality, Kazakhstan conducted the National Agricultural Census in 2025. The census covered all agricultural producers, from large agricultural holdings to individual farmers and private households, gathering information on land, crops, livestock, equipment, labour, and other key resources.

Trade policy developments in 2025-26

The ban on wheat imports into Kazakhstan, which had been in force since April 2023, expired on 31 December 2024 and was not renewed. The non-renewal had limited immediate market effect, as a record 2025 harvest and a strong ruble-to-tenge exchange rate made Russian wheat imports economically unviable during the reporting period. Additionally, a new state support mechanism for export logistics was introduced in 2025 to provide transportation subsidies for grain exports. The measure is scheduled to be in force until 1 September 2026 and supports expansion of the geography of Kazakhstan's grain exports to over 50 countries.

In February 2026, the Antimonopoly Committee concluded that the export duty on sunflower seed exports, in effect since February 2023, was incorrectly structured and negatively affected farmers, and recommended a gradual reduction. The duty rate, set in 2023 was 20% of the cargo value but not less than EUR 100 per tonne, finances a subsidy to farmers for selling to domestic oil processors.

In October 2025, the export ban on breeding stock of cattle and small ruminants, in place since 2023, was extended for a further six months and broadened to include bulls. In November 2025, export quotas for rams were introduced for a six-month period, with a total limit of 120 000 head (60 000 for feedlots and 60 000 for producers). In December 2025, quantitative restrictions on the export of beef were introduced for the first time, initially set at 13 000 tonnes until 31 December 2025. From 31 December 2025, a new quota of 20 000 tonnes was established for the period until 30 June 2026. A six-month ban on the import of chicken eggs, including from EAEU countries, was introduced in early 2026 to support domestic poultry producers, who supplied 98% of the domestic market in 2025.

Russia’s temporary restrictions on imports of agricultural products, including wheat, from Kazakhstan, implemented in October 2024 on phytosanitary grounds, were lifted on 22 April 2025. However, from 23 April 2025, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) imposed new restrictions on grain supplies from Kazakhstan's main agricultural regions. These were lifted on 20 October 2025 following negotiations between the head of Rosselkhoznadzor and Kazakhstan's Vice-Minister of Agriculture.

Policy context

Key economic and agricultural statistics

Kazakhstan has the ninth largest land area in the world and is one of the least densely populated countries. It has the second-highest per-capita availability of arable land in the world. Kazakhstan is also an important exporter of fossil fuels. The country is an upper middle-income economy and the richest country in Central Asia, but its economy remains highly dependent on oil and commodity markets. Its high share of trade in GDP highlights the strong focus on international markets.

Although the contribution of agriculture to the economy has declined sharply since the early 1990s, agriculture remains an important economic sector, contributing to 3.9% of GDP (Table 18.2). Over 75% (or 214 million ha) of the country’s territory is suitable for agricultural production, but only about half of that is currently under agricultural production. Kazakhstan is one of the top ten grain exporters in the world, exporting to over 70 countries. The country’s major crops are wheat, barley, cotton and rice, with wheat exports a major source of foreign currency. Livestock products, including dairy, leather, meat and wool also comprise an important share of agricultural output.

The farm structure is dualistic: with a small number of large-scale and often highly vertically integrated operations dominating the production of the sector, while most farms are rural and subsistence-oriented. Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, as increasingly frequent hot weather and severe droughts reduce water availability.

Table 18.2. Kazakhstan: Contextual indicators

	Kazakhstan		International comparison
	2000*	2024*	2000*	2024*
Economic context			Share in total of all countries
GDP (billion USD in PPPs)	115	842	0.3%	0.5%
Population (million)	16	21	0.4%	0.4%
Land area (thousand km2)	2 700	2 700	3.2%	3.2%
Agricultural area (AA) (thousand ha)	215 393	214 266	7.1%	7.2%
			All countries1
Population density (inhabitants/km2)	6	8	52	64
GDP per capita (USD in PPPs)	7 418	40 891	9 508	31 740
Trade as % of GDP	37.4	24.5	12.3	15.0
Agriculture in the economy			All countries1
Agriculture in GDP (%)	8.1	3.9	3.0	3.6
Agriculture share in employment (%)	36.6	11.6	-	-
Agro-food exports (% of total exports)	2.0	6.3	6.4	8.3
Agro-food imports (% of total imports)	0.7	11.0	6.1	7.5
Characteristics of the agricultural sector			All countries1
Crop in total agricultural production (%)	55.6	60.3	62.1	60.4
Livestock in total agricultural production (%)	44.4	39.7	37.9	39.6
Share of arable land in AA (%)	14.0	13.8	33.0	34.0

Note: *or closest available year.

1. Average of all countries covered in this report.

Sources: OECD statistical databases; International Labour Organisation (ILO); UN Comtrade; World Bank, WDI; FAO database and national data.

Kazakhstan’s real GDP increased by 5% in 2024. Compared to 2023 which was heavily affected by both drought and floods, the agriculture sector experienced significant expansion, with the gross output of agriculture increasing by 13.7% to KZT 8.3 trillion, (USD 16 billion) (The Press Service of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2025[1]). This growth was primarily driven by a 21.1% increase in crop production, reaching KZT4.95 trillion, (USD 9.55 billion) and a 3.6% rise in livestock production, amounting to KZT 3.27 trillion (USD 6.3 billion).

Kazakhstan has been a net agro-food importer since the mid-2000s, yet the country remains one of the world’s largest wheat exporters (Figure 18.5). About 50% of agro-food exports are in primary commodities, with most being used for processing by industry. More than 65% of agro-food imports are processed commodities, the bulk of which are for final consumption.

Agricultural total productivity growth has been similar in Kazakhstan compared to many industrialised systems (Figure 18.6). However, primary factors including targeted inputs like nutrients and machinery renewal are one limitation to productivity growth. Nutrient balances were negative 13.8 kg nitrogen/ha in 2024, with little change since 2000, and far below the OECD average of 29.0 kg/ha (Table 18.3).

Table 18.3. Kazakhstan: Productivity and environmental indicators

	Kazakhstan		International comparison
	1991-2000	2014-23	1991-2000	2014-23
			World
TFP annual growth rate (%)	2.0%	0.7%	1.8%	0.8%
			OECD average
Environmental indicators	2000*	2024*	2000*	2024*
Nitrogen balance, kg/ha	-14.8	-13.8	32.3	29.0
Phosphorus balance, kg/ha	-2.7	-2.4	3.3	2.3
Agriculture share of total energy use (%)	4.0	1.8	1.7	2.0
Agriculture share of GHG emissions (%)	12.8	9.7	8.7	10.3
Share of irrigated land in AA (%)	0.6	0.8	-	-
Share of agriculture in water abstractions (%)	68.1	57.6	46.1	47.7
Water stress indicator	..	..	..	..

Note: * or closest available year.

1. 6.4% of sown agricultural area in 2024 was irrigated.

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Agricultural Productivity database; OECD statistical databases; FAO database and national data.

Historical trends in agricultural policies

In the Soviet era, all sectors of Kazakhstan’s economy, including agriculture, were regulated by central planning. Production, the marketing of agricultural inputs and outputs, and processing and distribution of food were controlled by state enterprises. Agriculture was supported by high administered prices and considerable input and output price subsidies, in addition to policies such as cheap energy and transport, which were not agriculture-specific.

Kazakhstan became an independent country in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Stabilisation and transition to a market economy were its main economic challenges. During the transition, the agricultural sector was affected by economic shocks, land reform and reduced government support. The main agricultural policies were geared towards decreasing food import-dependency and increasing domestic food production (Baubekova, Tikhonova and Kvasha, 2021[2]).

Agricultural products and inputs became exposed to market forces post-independence in the 1990s. After this early period of market reform, Kazakhstan made little progress in pursuing further trade liberalisation. It was not until its accession to the WTO in 2015 that the country restarted trade liberalisation measures. However, Kazakhstan continues to apply a range of border and domestic price intervention measures such as tariff rate quotas and non-tariff measures. Kazakhstan has also imposed export restrictions in times of global uncertainty or high prices, such as 2008, 2020 and 2022.

From the mid-2010s, policy measures including the State Programmes of Agro Industrial Complex Development amended the target and delivery of support for the sector through introducing financing support for investments, reduced area-based subsidies, and national debt restructuring.

In recent years, Kazakhstan continues to increase support to the sector through many measures and policy frameworks like the Concept for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of Kazakhstan (2021‑2030) which set ambitious targets for increasing the productivity of farmers, exports and developing Kazakhstan input manufacturers such as fertilisers, equipment, and machinery. Much of the support is received indirectly from the government through reduced interest rate loans from financial institutions and lower input costs from input manufacturers.

Table 18.4. Kazakhstan: Agricultural policy trends

Period	Framework	Changes in agricultural policies
Prior to 1992	Soviet era Closed economy	Government control of the agricultural economy through regional trade controls, input supply controls, and the continuation of soft budget constraints Taxation of the agricultural sector to support the industrial sector Tariffs Low administrated prices on energy and transport
1992-1997	Initial structural reforms towards an open economy	Price liberalisation of agricultural products and inputs Emergence of new policy institutions
1998-2002	Economic crisis Stabilisation measures	Debt rescheduling Limited support to the sector Agrarian Credit Corporation created as main agricultural lender (credit at preferential rates) Restructuring agricultural enterprises
2003-2015	Agriculture as part of economic diversification	Price support Support for import-competing products Tariff protection for meat Taxation of agricultural exports
2015-2023	Reforms to trade liberalisation	WTO accession 2015 EAEU membership in 2015 Elimination of payments per hectare for priority crops Promotion of agricultural co-operatives Increase in land tax rates Debt restructuring programme Introduction of investment subsidies Introduction of interest concessions Agricultural insurance reform
2024-present	Policies target production and export growth while strengthening domestic self-sufficiency	Increase in production subsidies for inputs Increased support for value-added processing for exports Introduce subsidies for domestically produced inputs including seeds and fertilisers Strengthen irrigation and water saving policies Strengthening focus on domestic self-sufficiency for staple products Large reduction in retail price setting for socially significant food products

The composition and level of support in Kazakhstan has varied over time. Following the Soviet era between 1995-2002, support to consumers was primarily market price support. Since the early 2000s, budgetary support increased. Over the last decade, support is primarily comprised of both market price support and payments based on input use. From 2023-25, the level of market price support was high relative to previous years; trade related policies such as the import ban on Russian wheat likely contributed to the relatively higher levels.

Reference

[2] Baubekova, A., A. Tikhonova and A. Kvasha (2021), “Evolution of Agricultural Policy in Kazakhstan”, in Kazakhstan’s Developmental Journey, Springer Singapore, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6899-2_3.

[1] The Press Service of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2025), Six Years of Progress: Kazakhstan on Sustainable Development Pathway, Official Information Source of the Prime minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, https://primeminister.kz/en/news/six-years-of-progress-kazakhstan-on-sustainable-development-pathway-29812.