Overview
| Overview | 2007 | 2008 | 2009(estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Market Size | 274 | 300 | 336 |
| Total Local Production | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Total Exports | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Total Imports | 270 | 295 | 322 |
| Imports from the U.S. | 6 | 7 | 8 |
In USD Million; Note: the above statistics are unofficial estimated based on Kazakhstan customs data and industry sources.
Best Prospects and Services
The domestic production of food processing and packaging equipment is very limited in Kazakhstan, with major demand satisfied by imports. U.S. food processing and packaging equipment, though holding an insignificant market share, has a good reputation for quality and durability, and with the depressed dollar, U.S.-made equipment is viewed as more cost-effective. U.S. exporters are encouraged to increase the awareness of Kazakhstani managers of the availability of U.S.-made food processing and packaging equipment. There are no restrictions on imports of food processing and packaging equipment, nor any non-tariff barriers affecting imports.
Best prospects include equipment for processing of vegetables and fruits, including production of natural juices and canned products, for production of vegetable oil, ready-to-finish products for supermarkets, canned products, processing of meat/poultry, movable complexes for animal slaughter and processing, packaging equipment and materials, and small capacity laboratory testing equipment for milk and dairy processing industries.
Opportunities
In the next few years, the fish, meat and dairy processing industries, which were stagnant since independence, are likely to develop. The GOK adopted a program for developing the fish industry in 2007-2015. Kazakhstani companies are launching new fish processing productions, such as fish-skin processing, artificial breeding of sturgeon on plots off the coast for further caviar production, production of oil for perfume industry, and manufacturing of long-shelf life preserves. Traditional fish processing is also very limited and there will be new processing facilities installed for the production of finished products such as dried and smoked fish, fish fillet, and freshly frozen fish. Processed fish products produced at new facilities in Kazakhstan are mainly exported to Western and eastern Europe.
In 2006-2007, the cattle breeding industry showed clear signs of exiting its recession. According to Ministry of Agriculture reports, livestock increased in all regions of Kazakhstan. The Ministry supports the development of fodder production facilities and subsidizing purchases of mixed fodder by poultry factories and cattle breeding facilities. As the cattle breeding industry develops in Kazakhstan, more dairy and meat-processing equipment will be required. Several new meat-processing facilities were launched in Kazakhstan in 2007.
Good business opportunities exist in the newly emerged sector of deep grain processing. Kazakhstan is a large grain producer and exporter, ranking seventh in the world among international exporters. The GOK is making efforts to develop the deep grain processing industry to increase added value of exported grain. Currently, there are three bio-ethanol plants operating in Kazakhstan and three to five new plants to be launched in 2008-2009. The government announced plans to increase bio-ethanol production up to 1 billion liters per year. Companies seek interested partners/investors to establish production plants.