Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Almonds in Kazakhstan function primarily as an import-dependent consumer and food-manufacturing input market, with limited evidence of any meaningful domestic supply at scale. UN Comtrade data (via World Bank WITS) shows Kazakhstan imported about USD 21.1 million of shelled almonds (HS 080212) in 2023, mainly from the United States and China, with smaller volumes from Turkey. In-shell almond imports (HS 080211) are much smaller by value and are sourced mainly from China (2023 UN Comtrade via WITS). Under the EAEU Common Customs Tariff (CN FEA/EAEU CET), almonds (HS 0802 11 and 0802 12) are listed at a 0% import duty rate, shifting the practical gatekeeping emphasis to compliance (food safety and labeling) and to landlocked logistics reliability. Kazakhstan also shows small outward shipments of shelled almonds (e.g., exports to the Russian Federation in 2024), consistent with minor regional redistribution rather than a production-led export position.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RolePrimarily consumed domestically and used as an ingredient; supply is largely import-driven
SeasonalityYear-round availability driven by shelf-stable dried-nut imports; domestic seasonality is not a dominant market driver.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Both in-shell and shelled product forms are imported; shelled kernels (HS 080212) represent the larger import segment by value in 2023 UN Comtrade/WITS data.
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control and contaminant management are critical for dried nuts because mold-related contaminants (including aflatoxins) are a recognized hazard category for nuts in official control frameworks.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin processing/sorting (often shelled kernels for HS 080212) → sealed food-grade packaging → multimodal transport (sea + rail/road) and/or overland rail/road from neighboring suppliers → Kazakhstan customs clearance → importer/distributor → retail and food manufacturing use
Temperature- Typically shipped and stored as an ambient, shelf-stable product; protect from heat and, especially, moisture ingress to reduce quality loss and mold risk.
Shelf Life- Shelf life depends on low moisture, intact packaging, and protection from rancidity drivers (heat/light/oxygen).
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighAflatoxin/mycotoxin contamination risk in traded almonds can trigger import holds, rejection, withdrawal, or costly rework; for Kazakhstan this is a practical deal-breaker risk because almonds must meet EAEU food-safety rules (TR CU 021/2011) and nuts are a known aflatoxin-risk commodity class in official contaminant control frameworks.Use approved suppliers with documented drying/storage controls; require lot-based COAs for mycotoxins from accredited labs; apply risk-based incoming testing and maintain strict dry, sealed storage during inland transit.
Logistics MediumLandlocked routing increases exposure to corridor disruption, rail/road bottlenecks, and freight-rate volatility; given Kazakhstan’s supplier mix (including China/Turkey overland and the United States via multimodal routes), delays can affect availability and landed cost.Diversify origin and routing options (e.g., maintain both overland and multimodal lanes); contract buffer inventory for peak-demand periods; specify moisture-proof packaging for long inland legs.
Regulatory Compliance MediumLabeling non-compliance for packaged almonds (e.g., missing mandatory information under TR CU 022/2011) and documentation gaps around conformity assessment can cause clearance delays, relabeling orders, or enforcement actions.Pre-validate labels for EAEU-market requirements and ensure the importer holds a correct, product-matched EAEU declaration of conformity before shipment dispatch.
Sustainability- Origin-related water stewardship scrutiny for irrigated almond orchards (relevant given Kazakhstan’s significant dependence on imported almonds, including United States-origin supply in 2023 UN Comtrade/WITS data).
FAQ
What almond product forms are most relevant for Kazakhstan’s trade flows?Kazakhstan imports both shelled almonds (HS 080212) and in-shell almonds (HS 080211). In 2023, shelled almond imports (HS 080212) were much larger by value (about USD 21.1 million) than in-shell imports (about USD 1.0 million), based on UN Comtrade data published via World Bank WITS.
Does Kazakhstan (via the EAEU) apply import duty on almonds?The EAEU Common Customs Tariff document for Group 08 lists a 0% import duty rate for almonds in shell (HS 0802 11) and almonds shelled (HS 0802 12).
Which EAEU technical regulations are most directly relevant to selling almonds in Kazakhstan?For food-market placement in Kazakhstan (EAEU), almonds are covered by TR CU 021/2011 for food safety requirements and by TR CU 022/2011 for food labeling requirements (for packaged products).