Kazakhstan Eases Beef Export Quota Rules, Extends Livestock and Egg Import Bans

The Interdepartmental Commission on Foreign Trade and Participation in International Economic Organizations has adopted a series of key decisions affecting the country's agricultural trade and livestock sector.

In a move to support domestic beef producers, the commission has approved simplified conditions for obtaining export quotas. Previously, eligibility required having a feedlot with a minimum capacity of 5,000 head and owning a meat processing plant. The new rules will be formalized by the Ministry of Agriculture. This policy aligns with the Comprehensive Livestock Development Plan, which aims to increase the national cattle population from 7.9 to 12 million head and boost Kazakhstan's beef export potential.

Simultaneously, to preserve breeding stock and ensure raw materials for local processors, the government has extended its ban on exporting breeding animals. The prohibition covers breeding stock of large and small ruminants, as well as young male cattle (bullocks), including shipments to fellow Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states.

In another significant measure, the Ministry of Agriculture will impose a six-month ban on imports of chicken eggs, also applicable to EAEU countries. This decision follows earlier restrictions; a temporary import ban was first introduced in April 2025 for six months and subsequently extended for one month in December 2025.

The domestic industry appears well-positioned to meet local demand. Kazakhstan operates 70 poultry farms: 34 focused on egg production, 29 on meat production, and 7 on breeding stock reproduction. In 2025, national chicken egg production increased by 2.4%, reaching approximately 4.57 billion eggs and satisfying about 98% of the domestic market's needs.

Separately, regarding potato exports, the commission concluded that temporary restrictions are not warranted. This assessment is based on stabilized domestic prices and sufficient national reserves of the staple crop.