Kazakhstan is not an exporter, but the largest net importer of vegetables in the region and its dependence on imports is growing

EastFruit analysts draw attention to the increasing frequency of media reports about Kazakhstan’s export successes in the field of vegetables. This is somewhat surprising, because it is far from reality and it is appropriate to say that Kazakhstan is the largest vegetable market in Central Asia! Most other countries have either strongly positive vegetable trade balances or balanced trade, but Kazakhstan has always been a net importer. Moreover, the negative balance of trade in vegetables in Kazakhstan has had a clear negative trend over the past few years. And this is despite the flow of re-exports of products from sanctioned countries to Russian territory. Let's figure it out. First, let's look at what is happening in the export of vegetables from Kazakhstan. Exports of vegetables and potatoes from Kazakhstan over the past 5 years (2018-2022) have indeed had growth dynamics. On average, exports grew by 2.5% or $1.7 million over the year and averaged $65.8 million. It seems not ...