Russian Sunflower Threatens Kazakhstan's Domestic Market

October 29, 2026 · Tarım Pusulası

Despite an expected record harvest of 2.5 million tons of sunflower in Kazakhstan, cheap product inflows from Russia are putting downward pressure on local market prices.

Russia's Harvest Pressures Kazakh Market

Sunflower production across Kazakhstan is expected to reach a record level of approximately 2.5 million tons. Kazakh farmers, who have experienced low yields and weak prices in grain production, are hoping for income from the ongoing sunflower harvest. However, the anticipated harvest of around 21 million tons in neighboring Russia is causing market unease. Talgat Aldazharov, General Director of Aitas Agro, notes that Russia's high production poses an export pressure risk, potentially diverting products towards Kazakhstan and other Central Asian markets.

Domestic Market Prices Fail to Cover Costs

According to statements by Talgat Aldazharov, General Director of Aitas Agro, it is becoming difficult to find buyers offering prices above 200 thousand tenge per ton in the domestic market. Oil processing plants in Kazakhstan are offering between 180 thousand and 190 thousand tenge per ton for sunflower. While offers in the range of 230 thousand to 240 thousand tenge per ton are being made along the Chinese border, long distances and transportation costs make it difficult for producers to reach this market. Consequently, price pressure in the local market is deepening.

Producers Demand Export Duty Relief and Import Restrictions

In response to market price pressure, Kazakh farmers have raised their demands for government protection. As a first step, producers are requesting the removal or significant reduction of the 100 euro per ton export duty on sunflower. The second proposal brought forward by farmers is a temporary ban on the import of Russian-origin sunflower into Kazakhstan. Ensuring that the record harvest translates into farmer income is seen as dependent on balancing cross-border product flows and protecting the domestic market.

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