In this edition we highlight Kazakhstan’s record poultry expansion, Uzbekistan’s livestock surge and seed-vault mission and Kyrgyzstan strengthening multi-sector growth. The region as a whole has signed a landmark 2030 Food Security Plan. Below is a roundup of the month’s key developments in the region.
Kazakhstan’s poultry industry nears self-sufficiency
An ambitious government programme aimed at making Kazakhstan fully self-sufficient in poultry meat is beginning to bear fruit. New data from the Union of Poultry Farmers shows broiler self-sufficiency has climbed to 80%, up from 67% just two years ago. The Agriculture Ministry expects the country to close the gap completely by 2027.
The sector has expanded quickly. Since 2022, 14 new poultry farms have come into commercial operation with a combined annual capacity of 144,000 tonnes. Domestic production hit 360,000 tonnes last year, with industrial farms accounting for almost all output. Yet even this is not the ceiling. Many facilities still run below full capacity, and some could increase production by up to 30% without new construction.
A standout example is JSC Poultry Agro in Kostanai region, revived after eight years of inactivity with KZT 3.2 billion (US$6.1 million) investment over the past three years, reflecting a broader trend - modernization is now as important as building new farms.
Looking ahead, Kazakhstan aims to double livestock exports by 2030. Soft loans at 5% interest subsidized by the state will be extended to more farms, and the government is preparing to open EU markets to Kazakh livestock production.
But challenges remain. High feed costs is a key obstacle as Kazakhstan shifts from a long-time poultry importer toward an export-oriented industry.
Uzbekistan launches major livestock expansion
Uzbekistan has approved new measures to support livestock breeding and ensure food security for the country. Over the next three years, livestock numbers are set to rise sharply - cattle to 445,000, small ruminants to 1.7 million, poultry to 10.3 million and fish production to 54,000 tonnes.
To support farmers, the government is extending subsidies for imported pedigree livestock through 2030, while day-old chicks subsidies will now apply only to domestic producers. From 2026-2027, importers of live cattle, sheep and goats will be allowed to defer VAT payments for up to 180 days. Farmers leasing land for fodder crops will receive new payment benefits and will be permitted to build lightweight livestock facilities up to 0.2 ha, provided they meet minimum herd-size requirements.
By July 2026 Uzbekistan will launch a $63 million Asian Development Bank project to restore degraded pasturelands by 2026. The initiative includes new irrigation wells, expanded plant diversity and drone-based seeding.
Uzbekistan contributes to the global seed vault
Uzbekistan has deposited more than 20 traditional crop varieties into the Global Seed Vault, the world’s most secure seed storage facility, located in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard.
The collection includes native melons, watermelons, tomatoes, peppers, onions, carrots, eggplants and the culturally and agriculturally significant “Qayroqtosh” wheat.
The effort, coordinated with FAO and Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen), strengthens Uzbekistan’s national gene pool and contributes to the largest secure backup of plant biodiversity - now over 1.1 million samples from around the world stored in Arctic permafrost.
Kyrgyz Republic posts broad-based growth across sectors
The Kyrgyz economy continued its balanced expansion in 2025, with GDP reaching 1.427 trillion soms (US$16.3 billion). Goods production led growth with an 11.3% surge, driven by construction, mining, electricity and gas and manufacturing. The services sector, nearly half of GDP, grew 8.8%, supported by strong trade (+15.3%), transport (+9.1%), and hospitality (+16.9%). Tax revenues on products rose 10.8%, reflecting resilient domestic demand.
Agriculture grew a modest 2% and slightly decreased in GDP share, but remains a key employer.
Overall, Kyrgyzstan’s economic structure continues to diversify while maintaining steady upward momentum.
Central Asia spotlight: landmark 2030 food security plan
Central Asian countries have taken a major step toward coordinated food security and agricultural sustainability by signing a joint Food Security Plan through 2030 at a high-level meeting in Tashkent. Initiated by the Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the plan aims to harmonize agricultural policies, strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate infrastructure development across the region.
Kazakhstan presented major cross-border logistics projects with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan that are already strengthening regional supply chains.
One of the key outcomes of the Tashkent meeting was the proposal to establish a Regional Center for Sustainable Farming - a new hub for sharing technology and global best practices.
Water management also takes centre stage. President Tokayev emphasized that water security is becoming increasingly urgent. He called for a Central Asian Framework Convention on Water Use to set common rules and prevent disputes, noting that all countries have overhauled water policies in the past five years. Upcoming summits in Astana, including the meeting of the founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, will serve as key platforms to advance these initiatives.
Sources: Poultry World, kun.uz, The Times of Central Asia, The Astana Times, Interfax, qazinform.com
LVVN team Astana will bring you more updates and developments from this significant region in the next edition!