Kazakhstan, like many other countries, relies on vegetable imports to meet the needs of its population. However, the market is experiencing significant shifts in supply dynamics. In 2024, Kazakhstan imported 478,700 tons of vegetables, a 5% decrease compared to 2023. Despite this decline, rising prices increased the total import value by 16.2% to $175.7 million.
Russia: increased supply of cucumbers and cabbage
Russia remains Kazakhstan's primary vegetable supplier. In 2024, cucumber imports from Russia grew 36.4% to 1,300 tons, while cabbage imports rose 21% to 1,900 tons.
Uzbekistan: decline in onion and garlic imports
Uzbekistan has traditionally been one of Kazakhstan's main vegetable suppliers. In 2024, it exported 122,600 tons of onions and garlic to Kazakhstan, a 15.2% decrease from the previous year. However, Uzbekistan significantly increased cabbage exports, boosting by 1.5 times to 70,600 tons.
China: sharp increase in certain vegetable supplies
China showed a significant rise in vegetable exports to Kazakhstan. In 2024, onion and garlic imports from China surged by 45% to 4,900 tons. Cabbage imports increased 2.6 times to 5,300 tons, cucumber imports rose 2.7 times to 4,200 tons, and tomato imports doubled.
Tajikistan: declining onion and garlic exports
Tajikistan is another key supplier of onions and garlic. However, in 2024, its exports to Kazakhstan dropped 3.3 times to 17,900 tons.
"We are witnessing notable changes in Kazakhstan's vegetable market in 2024. While overall import volumes have declined, their cost has risen," says Erghazy Taubaev, a leading analyst at an investment company.
"The supply structure has shifted. China has strengthened its position in the market, whereas imports from traditional suppliers like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have decreased in some categories."
Trends by vegetable type
Onions and garlic: Total imports fell by 30.4% to 146,600 tons, mainly due to lower supplies from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Cucumbers: Imports decreased by 5.3% to 13,700 tons. Shipments from Iran and Uzbekistan declined, while imports from Russia, China, and Afghanistan increased.
Cabbage: Imports grew 1.5 times to 80,400 tons, driven by higher supplies from Uzbekistan and China.
Carrots, radishes, beets, and turnips: Imports increased by 27% to 61,500 tons.
Tomatoes: Imports rose by 9% to 60,800 tons.
Eggplants, spinach, peppers, and asparagus: Imports increased by 11.7% to 57,600 tons.
Kazakhstan, which heavily depends on imported fruits and vegetables, is experiencing faster price growth compared to its neighbors. According to Ranking.kz, fruit prices in Kazakhstan increased by 12.4% year-over-year in December 2024, while in Uzbekistan, they dropped by 18.2%.
A similar trend is observed in the vegetable market. In Kazakhstan, vegetable prices rose by 3.8% year-over-year, while in Uzbekistan, the increase was only 0.7%. This price disparity is significant for key vegetables like beets, onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes. The only exception is potatoes, which saw comparable price increases: 37.7% in Kazakh cities and 39.9% in Uzbekistan
Source: www.zakon.kz