Kazakhstan's fishing industry experiences steady growth
By the end of 2024, the market volume of fish products amounted to 94.6 thousand tonnes, which is 7% more than in the same period of 2023. Of this volume, 45,2 thousand tonnes are caught from natural reservoirs, and 18.2 thousand tonnes are products grown in fish farms. The export of fish products amounted to 23.4 thousand tonnes, the Kapital Business Information Centre reports.kz with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to the agricultural department, 72 enterprises are engaged in fish processing, of which 20 supply products to the countries of the European Union. More than 50 types of Kazakh fish products are exported to 21 countries around the world.
The state actively supports the development of aquaculture. The volume of subsidies in the industry has increased 9-fold since 2021 and reached 4.5 billion tenge in 2024. Up to 25% of investment costs are reimbursed, 30% of feed costs, and 50% for the purchase of juveniles, breeding stock, and veterinary drugs. As a result, the number of fish farms has doubled in three years to 600.
"In 2024, investments in fixed assets in the field of fisheries exceeded 5.2 billion tenge. 30 projects with a capacity of 2.5 thousand tonnes have been implemented, and another 50 investment projects are underway with a projected production volume of up to 50 thousand tonnes of fish per year," the Ministry of Agriculture reported.
The industry is being developed within the framework of the Kazakhstan Fisheries Development Program for 2021-2030. The program includes state support measures, the introduction of information systems for monitoring aquaculture, support for domestic producers, as well as measures for the conservation and reproduction of fish resources.
In order to replenish the fish population, natural reservoirs are stocked annually. In 2024, 54 million juveniles of valuable fish species were released into reservoirs as part of the state order.
In order to stimulate processing and increase exports of finished products, the export of fish in unprocessed form is limited. In 2024-2025, a six-month ban on the export of walleye and catfish was introduced, which increased the volume of raw materials for processing these types of fish by 23%.
"It is planned to introduce mechanisms for subsidizing processed fish products and expand budget lending programs for fish farming and processing projects at 2.5%," the ministry announced.
Last year, the e-fish information system was launched in a pilot mode to track the legality of the origin of fish and fish products.
In order to preserve the population of the Caspian seal, the state natural reserve Kaspiy Itbalygy has been created. The modernisation of the sturgeon plant in Atyrau is underway and the construction of an incubation workshop in the Kyzylorda region has begun.
The Senate is currently considering a draft law on Aquaculture aimed at stimulating the growth of the industry, increasing its transparency and attracting investment.
Earlier it became known about the completion of the first stage of construction of a modern fishing complex in Konayev. The company will grow up to 10 thousand tonnes of trout and barramundi per year.
Reported by Kapital (Kazakhstan).