According to DairyNews.today, the Rosselkhoznadzor has initiated a suspension of certification for high milk-fat dairy products from Kazakhstan, effectively restricting shipments of key dairy categories to the russian market.

Under a letter issued by Rosselkhoznadzor on February 27, 2026, Kazakhstan’s veterinary authorities were asked to stop issuing veterinary export certificates from March 2, 2026 for shipments to Russia of:

  • butter
  • cream
  • cheese
  • dried dairy products

Regional branches of the Russian authority were also instructed to ensure that these products are not allowed to enter Russian territory.

However, products shipped on or before March 2 will be accepted under the usual procedures, allowing previously approved export operations to be completed without additional restrictions.

The measures apply to all Kazakh dairy enterprises supplying high milk-fat products to the Russian market, particularly affecting the most profitable segments of dairy processing, such as butter, cheese, and milk powder.

Kazakhstan’s Dairy Market

At the same time, Kazakhstan’s dairy sector continues to demonstrate stable production growth.

In 2025, dairy output exceeded 665,000 tonnes, representing a 7% increase compared with the previous year and the highest level recorded in the past decade.

In January 2026, the country’s dairy processors produced approximately 54,000 tonnes of dairy products, maintaining positive production dynamics.

According to Food and Agriculture Organization agricultural economist Erlan Sizdikov, sector growth has been largely driven by investments and government support programs, including preferential lending schemes. In recent years, more than 100 dairy farms have been established in the country.

The Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan has also prepared a five-year development plan for the dairy industry, while a long-term sector strategy to 2040 is being developed in cooperation with the FAO.

Currently, Kazakhstan’s self-sufficiency in dairy products exceeds 95%. In 2025, exports of milk and dairy products roughly doubled, although their overall share remains relatively small. Key export destinations include neighboring Central Asian countries:

  • Uzbekistan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Tajikistan

According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, 180 dairy processing plants currently operate in the country. In 2025, several major investment projects were launched, while 12 additional programs worth 41 billion tenge are underway. These initiatives are expected to add 165,000 tonnes of processing capacity.

Structural Challenges

Despite positive growth trends, analysts point to several structural challenges facing the sector.

Approximately 60–70% of raw milk production comes from private household farms, which complicates the supply of consistent-quality raw materials for industrial processing.

Other constraints include:

  • long distances between farms and processing facilities
  • relatively high logistics costs

These structural issues continue to influence the competitiveness and efficiency of Kazakhstan’s dairy industry.

Sources: DairyNews.today (1), DairyNews.today (2)