Kazakhstan's tire market has an import dependency of over 92%, with China firmly holding the position as the largest supplier. In the first half of 2026, high natural rubber prices, combined with exchange rate fluctuations of the tenge, have significantly increased pressure on tire import costs. The advancement of localized production and accelerated infrastructure investment constitute key medium-term variables.
Source: Kazakhstan Bureau of Statistics, General Administration of Customs of China, updated June 2026
Kazakhstan's domestic tire production capacity is limited, with an annual output of about 280,000 tires, far insufficient to meet the domestic annual demand of approximately 3.8 million tires. The supply-demand gap is mainly filled by imports, with the replacement market accounting for over 75%.
| Indicator | 2024 | 2025 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Production (10k tires) | 26 | 28 | +7.7% |
| Import Volume (10k tires) | 345 | 352 | +2.0% |
| Total Consumption (10k tires) | 368 | 378 | +2.7% |
| Import Dependency | 93.8% | 92.5% | -1.3pp |
Source: Kazakhstan Bureau of Statistics, EEC Trade Database, June 2026
China's tire industry maintained high operating rates in the first half of 2026, with all-steel tire operating rates at about 72% and semi-steel at about 78%. Export volumes to Kazakhstan have been steadily increasing, with strong price competitiveness.
Source: Longzhong Information, General Administration of Customs of China, June 20, 2026
Retail market prices for tires in Kazakhstan continue to rise driven by import costs, with the average replacement market price up about 7% YoY in Q1 2026. Almaty and Astana are the two core consumption cities.
| Major Source Country | 2025 Import Share | Main Categories |
|---|---|---|
| China | 58% | TBR, PCR, OTR |
| Russia | 18% | TBR, Winter Tires |
| South Korea | 8% | PCR, High-Performance Tires |
| Japan/Turkey | 6%/4% | PCR, OTR |
Source: Kazakhstan Bureau of Statistics, EEC, June 2026
Truck and bus tires (TBR) are the largest imported category in Kazakhstan, accounting for about 48%; passenger car tires (PCR) follow, and engineering machinery tires (OTR) are growing fastest, benefiting from infrastructure investment.
| Segment | 2025 Import Share | Demand Growth Rate | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck & Bus Tires (TBR) | 48% | +3.5% | Steady Growth |
| Passenger Car Tires (PCR) | 34% | +2.8% | Gradual Increase |
| Off-the-Road Tires (OTR) | 12% | +12.6% | Rapid Growth |
Source: Kazakhstan Customs Data, Industry Statistics, June 2026
All-steel radial truck tires (TBR), as the core market category, are seeing a widening supply-demand gap. Import volumes grew by 4.2% YoY in Q1 2026, with Chinese brands dominating due to their cost-effectiveness.
Source: Longzhong Information, Almaty Tire Distributor Survey, June 2026
High natural rubber prices are the main driver of tire cost increases. In June 2026, the natural rubber quotation in Chinese producing regions is about RMB 14,500/ton, with carbon black and synthetic rubber prices also in a relatively strong range.
| Raw Material | China Producing Region Price | Kazakhstan Import CIF Reference Price | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Rubber (SCRWF) | RMB 14,500/ton | USD 1,980/ton | +11.5% |
| SBR (SBR1502) | RMB 12,800/ton | USD 1,750/ton | +6.2% |
| Carbon Black (N330) | RMB 8,600/ton | USD 1,180/ton | +3.8% |
Source: Shengyi She, Longzhong Information, Argus Media, June 20, 2026
Kazakhstan's GDP growth rate in 2025 was about 4.3%, with vehicle ownership surpassing 5.2 million. Within the Eurasian Economic Union framework, tariff preferences for tire imports continue, with Chinese tires enjoying zero tariff treatment.
| Indicator | Value | Time |
|---|---|---|
| GDP Growth Rate | 4.3% | 2025 |
| Vehicle Ownership | ~5.22 million | End of 2025 |
| USD/KZT Exchange Rate | ~462.5 | June 2026 |
| Tire Import Tariff (EAEU) | 0% (China) | Current |
Source: World Bank, National Bank of Kazakhstan, EAEU, June 2026
The geopolitical environment is relatively stable, but exchange rate volatility of the tenge and the advancement of localized production are core uncertainties. Accelerated infrastructure investment brings structural growth opportunities for engineering machinery tires.
Source: Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan, World Bank, June 2026