Kazakhstan is stepping up its presence on the European fish market.
In the first half of 2026, Kazakhstan exported 12.9 thousand tonnes of processed and canned fish, crustaceans and molluscs - 35.7% more than during the same period a year earlier. At the same time, fish imports into Kazakhstan fell by 12.8%, to 27.6 thousand tonnes.
Beeld: fish
Fishing
One of the most notable trends is the growing flow of Kazakh freshwater fish to Europe. Exports of freshwater fish fillets rose by 36.8%, reaching 4.2 thousand tonnes. In value terms, exports increased by 39.3%, to $30.5 million.
Among the key European buyers are Denmark, Lithuania, Poland and the Netherlands.
Pike-perch is at the heart of this trade. Caught in Kazakhstan’s lakes and processed locally, the fish can travel thousands of kilometres before reaching European buyers turning a product of Kazakhstan’s inland waters into part of the European seafood supply chain.
Why the Netherlands matters
For Kazakhstan, the Netherlands is more than just another export destination.
The country is one of Europe’s established hubs for the international fish trade, with a strong network of importers, processors and distributors. This makes the Dutch market particularly attractive for Kazakh producers looking to expand their presence across the EU.
There is already a clear trade connection. Kazakh pike-perch fillets have been supplied to Dutch buyers, with the Dutch fish trade providing a route into the wider European market.
But growing exports will depend on one key factor called the supply.
Beeld: fish
Fish market
Kazakhstan’s total fish catch reached 49.6 thousand tonnes in 2025, up 10.1% year on year. Yet pike-perch catches declined by almost 10%, to 4.8 thousand tonnes.
Aquaculture offers a potential solution. Commercial fish farming expanded rapidly in 2025, with production rising by 63.2% to 13.3 thousand tonnes.
For European buyers, however, volume is only part of the equation. Consistent quality, reliable deliveries and compliance with EU food-safety requirements are equally important.
If Kazakhstan can combine a stronger aquaculture sector with modern processing and export-ready quality standards, its current surge in fish exports could mark the beginning of a much bigger story.
The Netherlands could play a key role in that story as a gateway connecting Kazakhstan’s growing fish industry with the wider European market.