Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormRoasted (Whole Bean)
Industry PositionProcessed Agricultural Product
Market
Roasted coffee beans in Kazakhstan are an import-dependent consumer market, supported by a growing base of domestic roasters that roast imported green coffee. UN Comtrade/WITS data show Kazakhstan importing both roasted coffee (HS 090121) and green coffee (HS 090111), indicating reliance on foreign origins for raw material and finished product. In 2023, roasted coffee (HS 090121) imports were reported at about USD 15.0 million and 1.70 million kg, with major supply coming from the Russian Federation and Italy. Local roasters and coffee shop operators in Almaty visibly market “fresh roast” positioning and direct delivery models, reinforcing a premium/specialty segment alongside imported mainstream supply.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer) with emerging domestic roasting
Domestic RoleUrban retail and HoReCa product; domestic value-add mainly via roasting and packaging rather than farming
SeasonalityYear-round availability; supply depends on import flows and continuous local roasting rather than harvest seasonality within Kazakhstan.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Whole-bean format sold for espresso, filter, and Turkish/cezve grinding on request by roasters
- Roast level positioning (e.g., medium to dark for espresso) is commonly used in consumer descriptions
Packaging- Hermetic bags with one-way degassing valve used by local roasters for freshly roasted beans
- Labeling must include mandatory information (name, quantity, date of manufacture, shelf life, storage conditions, manufacturer and importer details) under EAEU food labeling rules
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Imported green coffee (HS 090111) → domestic roasting → packaging (often valve bags) → distribution to cafés/offices/consumers
- Imported roasted coffee (HS 090121) → importer/distributor → retail and HoReCa
Temperature- Ambient (no cold chain) but quality is sensitive to heat and humidity exposure during storage and inland transport in a landlocked market
Atmosphere Control- Packaging with degassing valve helps manage post-roast CO2 release and supports freshness positioning
Shelf Life- Specialty roasters may position optimal freshness as weeks after roasting; supply-chain delays can reduce sensory quality even if food safety remains compliant
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighEAEU market access hinges on conformity assessment and compliant labeling: missing/incorrect EAC Declaration of Conformity and TR CU 022/2011-required label elements (including importer details for third-country goods) can block customs release and/or legal sale in Kazakhstan.Run a pre-shipment compliance gate: confirm HS classification; obtain/validate EAC Declaration of Conformity as applicable; perform label artwork review against TR CU 022/2011; retain technical documentation and HACCP-based procedures evidence where required under TR CU 021/2011.
Supply Concentration MediumRoasted coffee imports (HS 090121) show strong reliance on a small set of supplier countries (notably the Russian Federation and Italy in 2023), creating exposure to trade frictions, border delays, and supplier-side shocks.Diversify supplier countries and product formats (e.g., green coffee import + local roasting) and qualify multiple logistics routes for key SKUs.
Logistics MediumKazakhstan’s landlocked geography increases exposure to multimodal transit delays and inland freight volatility; extended transit and poor storage conditions can degrade aroma/freshness, driving higher claims/returns in premium segments.Use freshness-oriented inventory policies (smaller, more frequent shipments), validated storage SOPs (cool/dry), and expand domestic roasting of imported green coffee for high-velocity specialty lines.
Labor And Human Rights MediumCoffee is identified by the U.S. Department of Labor as a good associated with child labor or forced labor in specific producing countries, creating origin-dependent ESG and reputational risk for Kazakhstan importers and roasters sourcing from higher-risk origins.Implement origin-level risk screening and supplier due diligence (contracts, third-party audits where feasible), and prioritize credible certification/traceability claims for higher-risk origins.
Sustainability- Upstream deforestation risk is a recognized theme for coffee supply chains globally; some suppliers (especially those selling into the EU) may face increased traceability and due-diligence expectations for coffee under Regulation (EU) 2023/1115.
Labor & Social- Upstream labor-rights risk screening is relevant because coffee is listed among goods associated with child labor or forced labor in specific producing countries (origin-dependent risk).
FAQ
Is Kazakhstan a producer of roasted coffee beans, or is the market import-dependent?Kazakhstan is import-dependent for coffee as an agricultural commodity and imports both roasted coffee (HS 090121) and green coffee (HS 090111). However, domestic companies do roast coffee locally using imported green beans, so part of the roasted-bean supply is produced in-country via roasting rather than farming.
Which countries supply most roasted coffee to Kazakhstan?UN Comtrade/WITS reporting for 2023 shows the Russian Federation and Italy among the largest suppliers of Kazakhstan’s roasted coffee imports (HS 090121), with additional supply from EU countries such as the Netherlands and Germany.
What are the key compliance items to sell packaged roasted coffee beans in Kazakhstan?Packaged roasted coffee sold in Kazakhstan must meet EAEU food safety requirements (TR CU 021/2011) and labeling rules (TR CU 022/2011). In practice, importers commonly need an EAC Declaration of Conformity (as applicable), and labels must include mandatory elements such as product name, quantity, manufacture date, shelf life, storage conditions, and manufacturer/importer details.