Kazakhstan may reintroduce potato export restrictions as current shipments approach the ceiling set to protect domestic supply. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin outlined the conditions under which curbs would return, following strong demand from neighbouring markets and earlier fluctuations in domestic pricing.
In January 2025, the Interdepartmental Commission on Trade Activities implemented a six-month export ban to non-EAEU markets after exports rose from 411,000 tons to 605,000 tons. Demand from Uzbekistan and higher export prices contributed to the rise. Producer prices increased rapidly, moving from 170 to 270 tenge per kilogram in one week. To stabilise the market, authorities suspended phytosanitary certificates from 16 January and increased monitoring by the Ministries of Trade and Agriculture and the antimonopoly authority.
Official data show potato stocks on 19 January stood above 850,000 tons, enough to supply the domestic market until the early 2025 harvest. Total production in 2024 reached 2.9 million tons, while consumption from August to December was 844,000 tons, and exports reached 620,000 tons.
Zhumangarin said Kazakhstan requires 2 to 2.1 million tons of potatoes annually, based on a consumption norm of 100 kilograms per person. He explained that exports would be limited once volumes reach the 500,000 to 600,000 ton threshold. "Potatoes are more expensive in neighbouring countries, and our producers benefit from exports. But once 500,000 to 600,000 tons are sold abroad, we will most likely close exports or introduce quotas," he said.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov confirmed the 2.9 million ton harvest and estimated the export potential at about 800,000 tons, though losses during storage reduce the working threshold to 500,000 to 600,000 tons. So far, 300,000 tons of the new crop have been exported, and another 200,000 tons are under contract, bringing shipments close to the level at which restrictions could be renewed.
Domestic potato prices have stabilised at around US$0.34 per kilogram, down from earlier highs of US$0.50 to US$0.70. At the peak of supply pressure, some cities, including Astana, introduced limits on individual purchases, and prices briefly reached US$0.96 per kilogram. Authorities report continued monitoring to limit speculative activity and maintain steady pricing across regional markets
Source: potatoPRO
