Agricultural Newsletter of Central Asia May 2025

Kazakhstan’s Fish Industry Doubles

Kazakhstan's fish production reached 94,600 tons in 2024 - a 7% annual increase. Exports to 21 countries totaled 23,400 tons, with 20 local processors now certified to export to the EU.

The number of fish farms has doubled to 600 in three years, thanks to a 9-fold increase in subsidies, now reaching 4.5 billion tenge (€9 million). More than 50 fish species are now being exported.

The 2021-2030 Fisheries Development Program is boosting aquaculture with subsidies of 25% for investments, 30% for feed, and 50% for juveniles and veterinary medicines. An e-fish tracking system is also being piloted to verify origin and legality of exports.

For the first time, Kazakhstan has ranked 8th among global exporters of vegetable oils, thanks to a 2.5 times increase in production and 4.8 times growth in exports over the past three years.

Sunflower oil, meal, and cakes brought in €498 million in 2024. The country is also now among the Top 3 exporters of sunflower meal to the EU, with growing trade to Central Asia, China, and soon the Middle East.

With the proper state-private coordination Kazakhstan could become a major competitor in a global oil and fodder market of 43 million tons - 42 times larger than its current exports.

Green Transformation in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has planted 136 million tree seedlings so far this spring under the “Green Nation” initiative with the goal of increasing Uzbekistan's green coverage to 30%. The target is 200 million seedlings planted in 2025.

A key component of the environmental strategy is the creation of a 100,000-hectare green zone and 2.1 million hectares reforested on the Aral Sea’s dried seabed.

One hectare of saxaul forest in desert areas absorbs 1,158 kg of CO₂ annually and can hold up to 3 tons of sand - a critical tool for desertification control. In mountainous areas juniper trees are producing each about 30 kg of phytoncides per year - substances highly beneficial for human health.

Working with the FAO, Uzbekistan launched a nationwide seromonitoring campaign against Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a viral disease with 90% potential mortality among goats and sheep. Though no outbreaks have been reported, the campaign is a proactive biosecurity strategy.

The campaign focuses on border regions, with blood samples collected, veterinary capacity-building, and the use of cold-chain systems and biosafety protocols. This marks a significant step in enhancing Uzbekistan's disease surveillance capabilities, allowing early detection and rapid response to any potential outbreaks.

The broader goal of Uzbekistan's efforts is to achieve internationally recognized PPR-free status, which would enhance trade prospects, strengthen food security and the resilience of rural communities that depend on livestock. 

Trade Facilitation Headquarters Launched in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has created a new Export Promotion Headquarters under its Agriculture Ministry to support producers and overcome export barriers.

The unit will provide real-time monitoring of export markets, reduce logistical bottlenecks, and help businesses obtain certifications.