Kazakhstan significantly increased fresh and chilled vegetable exports in the first half of 2026, with potato, cucumber and cabbage shipments driving the growth, according to data reported by LS.

Between January and June, the country exported 468,400 tonnes of fresh and chilled vegetables, three times more than a year earlier. Export revenue reached $58.6 million.

Potatoes accounted for the largest share of the increase. Exports rose 10.6-fold to 255,500 tonnes. Uzbekistan was the main destination, taking 210,300 tonnes, or more than 80% of Kazakhstan’s potato exports. Another 43,600 tonnes were shipped to Tajikistan, while smaller volumes went to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. Exports to Russia, however, fell 12.3-fold to 500.3 tonnes.

Cucumber exports increased 11.7-fold to 92,300 tonnes. Russia absorbed almost the entire volume, with purchases reaching 92,100 tonnes, 13.5 times more than in the first half of 2025. Small shipments were also made to Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.

Cabbage exports doubled to 53,800 tonnes, of which 53,100 tonnes went to Russia. Kazakhstan also supplied cabbage to Belarus, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and the United Arab Emirates.

Tomato exports increased 1.7-fold to 12,000 tonnes. Russia remained the main market with 11,000 tonnes, while shipments to Belarus and Kyrgyzstan increased 9.2-fold and 15.3-fold, respectively.

The growth was not uniform across all vegetable categories. Exports of onions and garlic fell 1.5-fold to 36,000 tonnes. Russia remained the largest buyer at 32,200 tonnes, down 24.9% year on year, while shipments to Kyrgyzstan increased 10.6-fold to 2,500 tonnes.

Exports of carrots, turnips, beetroot and radishes decreased by 5.4% to 15,000 tonnes, with Russia accounting for 14,800 tonnes.

Source: lsm.kz