Kazakhstan: oil and meal exports to China to reach 1 million tons in the next two seasons

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture said on November 5 that, according to an estimate by the National Association of Oilseed Processors, deliveries of Kazakh oil and fat products to China will reach 1 million tons in the next two seasons. Last season they came to 657 thousand tons worth more than $438 million, and over the past three seasons they have grown more than 3.7 times.

Key figures

• Target: 1 million tons
• Last season: 657 thousand t
• Revenue: over $438 million
• 3-season growth: 3.7 times
• No. 2 in sunflower oil
• Meal moves in grain wagons

What changed

Kazakhstan is strengthening its position among the key suppliers of oil and fat products to China. The industry attributes the export growth to three factors: a wider raw material base, better use of logistics infrastructure, and the launch of new processing plants.

In numbers

Kazakhstan's position on the Chinese market, according to the ministry:

• In 2025: 2nd place in sunflower oil exports to China.
• The same year: among the top three suppliers of sunflower meal.
• Rapeseed oil: consistently in the top five for 2024–2025.
• Deliveries of vegetable oils and meal or cake to China have grown more than 3.7 times over three seasons.

Logistics

Since February 2024, the association has been working with Kazakhstan's railway to improve how vegetable oil shipment plans are allocated through the Dostyk — Alashankou crossing. Fulfillment of the agreed plans has exceeded 90%, compared with less than 40% in 2023. This spring, a pilot project was launched jointly with China's railways: pelleted sunflower meal is being shipped in grain wagons. According to the industry, this gives additional room to increase volumes.

What it means for buyers

For farms that grow sunflower and rapeseed, export growth means processors are counting on more raw material, and the industry itself names a wider raw material base as a condition for growth. Shipments through Dostyk are running more steadily than three years ago. Those planning to expand their oilseed area should work out their seed and machinery needs in advance: sprayers and combines with suitable headers.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan