Kazakhstan Feed Additives Key Takeaways
Kazakhstan's feed additive market has an import dependency of approximately 75%. China remains the largest supplier, accounting for 55%-58% of total imports. Steady livestock sector growth drives additive demand up 6%-8% annually, but domestic capacity expansion is slow. The import landscape is expected to remain unchanged from 2026 to 2028.
~230 million USD
2025 Market Size
ā Key Risks: KZT exchange rate volatility (approx. 4.2% depreciation in Q1 2026), stability of Central Asian geo-logistics corridors, intensified price competition from global amino acid overcapacity.
Sources: Kazakhstan Bureau of National Statistics 2025 Annual Report; China Customs General Administration Jan-May 2026 export data; Longzhong Information May 2026 amino acid market monthly
Supply-Demand Fundamentals
Kazakhstan's feed additive consumption in 2025 was approximately 238,000 tonnes, while domestic production reached only 62,000 tonnes, leaving a supply gap of 176,000 tonnes filled primarily by imports. Total compound feed output was about 3.8 million tonnes, with additive penetration continuing to rise.
| Indicator | 2023 | 2024 | 2025E | YoY Change |
|---|
| Domestic Output (10k tonnes) | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.2 | +5.1% |
| Imports (10k tonnes) | 15.8 | 17.0 | 18.2 | +7.1% |
| Exports (10k tonnes) | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.15 | +4.5% |
| Apparent Consumption (10k tonnes) | 20.4 | 21.8 | 23.8 | +9.2% |
Sources: Kazakhstan Bureau of National Statistics 2025 Annual Report; UN Comtrade 2025 trade data (accessed June 2026)
China Market Status
In May 2026, the average ex-factory price of lysine (98.5%) in China was approximately 8,050 RMB/tonne, down 3.8% month-on-month; the average methionine price was about 17,800 RMB/tonne, down 2.1% MoM. Industry-wide operating rates averaged 71%, with capacity utilization slightly weakened by slowing global demand.
8,050 RMB/t
Lysine (98.5%) Ex-factory
17,800 RMB/t
Solid Methionine Avg.
71%
Industry Operating Rate
Jan-May 2026 China's feed additive exports totaled approx. 980,000 tonnes, of which shipments to Kazakhstan reached ~35,000 tonnes, up 11% YoY.
Sources: Longzhong Information May 2026 amino acid market monthly; Shengyishe June 15, 2026 feed additive price monitor; China Customs May 2026 export flash report
Kazakhstan Market Status
End-user prices of feed additives in Kazakhstan carry a premium of 18%-28% over China FOB prices, driven mainly by logistics costs, distribution layers and the KZT exchange rate. In 2025, imports were valued at about USD 165 million, with China, Russia and the EU as the top three sources.
| Import Source | 2025 Imports (Million USD) | Share | Main Categories |
|---|
| China | ~950 | 58% | Lysine, vitamins, trace minerals |
| Russia | ~300 | 18% | Premixes, feed-grade phosphates |
| EU | ~200 | 12% | Enzymes, high-end vitamins |
| Others | ~200 | 12% | Amino acids, acidifiers, etc. |
Sources: Kazakhstan Bureau of National Statistics 2025 Trade Annual; China Customs Jan-May 2026 exports to Kazakhstan
Product Segmentation
Amino acids rank first in Kazakhstan's feed additive imports (approx. 42%), followed by minerals & phosphates (approx. 26%) and vitamins (approx. 19%). Lysine and methionine are the largest single-product import volumes.
| Category | Import Share | 2025 Imports (10k tonnes) | Demand Trend |
|---|
| Amino Acids (Lys/Met/Thr etc.) | 42% | ~7.6 | ā Strong growth |
| Minerals & Phosphates | 26% | ~4.7 | ā Stable |
| Vitamins (A/E/D3 etc.) | 19% | ~3.5 | ā Steady growth |
| Enzymes & Acidifiers etc. | 13% | ~2.4 | ā Rising demand |
Sources: Kazakhstan Bureau of National Statistics 2025 detailed import data; Longzhong Information May 2026 feed additive category analysis
Core Finished Product Supply & Demand
Lysine is Kazakhstan's largest single imported feed additive, with approximately 42,000 tonnes imported in 2025 and Chinese supply accounting for over 70%. Feed-grade dicalcium phosphate (DCP) imports reached about 31,000 tonnes. While Kazakhstan possesses phosphate rock resources, processing capacity is insufficient.
4.2 10k t
Lysine Imports (2025)
3.1 10k t
Feed-grade DCP Imports
70%+
China Lysine Supply Share
Lysine CIF Kazakhstan ranged approx. USD 1,280ā1,420/tonne (May 2026), a premium of about 22% over China FOB.
Sources: China Customs 2025 feed additive export details; Argus Media May 2026 international amino acid report; Longzhong Information
Intermediate & Raw Material Value
Core raw material prices directly influence end-product costs. In May 2026, average corn price in China's main producing areas was about 2,380 RMB/tonne, phosphate rock (30% PāOā
) about 520 RMB/tonne, and sulfuric acid about 280 RMB/tonne. Kazakhstan has abundant phosphate rock but a weak processing chain.
| Raw Material | China Price (May 2026) | Kazakhstan Reference (CIF/Domestic) | Price Trend |
|---|
| Corn (fermentation feedstock) | 2,380 RMB/t | ā (mostly local production) | ā Slight decline |
| Phosphate Rock (30% PāOā
) | 520 RMB/t | 380-450 RMB/t (local) | ā Stable |
| Sulphuric Acid (98%) | 280 RMB/t | 310-350 RMB/t | ā Slight rise |
Sources: Mysteel May 2026 phosphate & sulphuric acid monitor; Shengyishe June 2026 corn flash; Argus Media international phosphate weekly
Trade & Macro Indicators
Kazakhstan's GDP grew approximately 4.0% in 2025, with livestock accounting for about 42% of gross agricultural output. The KZT/USD exchange rate stood at around 475:1 in May 2026, depreciating about 4.2% since the start of the year. China-Kazakhstan trade continues to expand; feed additive import tariffs are 0-5% under the EAEU common tariff.
475 KZT/USD
Exchange Rate (May 2026)
Kazakhstan's livestock sector output was approximately USD 8.5 billion in 2025; feed additives represent 4%-7% of production costs, underpinning rigid demand.
Sources: World Bank 2025 Kazakhstan Economic Update; National Bank of Kazakhstan May 2026 exchange rate bulletin; Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Tariff Schedule
Risks & Opportunity Windows
Major risks include persistent KZT depreciation eroding importer purchasing power, and Central Asian geo-logistics bottlenecks (Caspian corridor and rail capacity). Opportunities lie in Kazakhstan's livestock modernization policy driving additive demand upgrades, ongoing China-Central Asia FTA negotiations, and potential local phosphate rock processing cooperation.
ā Geo-risk: The Caspian logistics corridor faces seasonal water-level constraints and port facility limitations, sometimes causing shipment delays of 10-20 days. The KZT depreciated 4.2% in Q1 2026, pressuring importer margins.
ā
Opportunities: Kazakhstan's 2025 "Livestock Modernization 2030 Plan" sets feed conversion efficiency targets, potentially accelerating demand for high-end additives. Under the China-Kazakhstan industrial capacity cooperation framework, localized feed-grade phosphate projects are feasible.
Sources: Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture 2025 Livestock Development Plan; China Ministry of Commerce May 2026 Central Asia Trade Brief; World Bank Q1 2026 Kazakhstan Economic Monitoring