Kazakhstan has no domestic natural rubber production capacity and the market is entirely dependent on imports. In the first half of 2026, natural rubber CIF prices remained in the range of USD 1,850-2,100/tonne, while synthetic rubber prices fluctuated slightly due to Russian supply. China's rubber exports to Kazakhstan increased by approximately 8% year-on-year, with Russia still the largest source of supply. Local tire capacity expansion (KamaTyresKZ project) drives steady demand growth, but the tenge exchange rate volatility and high inland logistics costs constitute core risks.
Source: Argus Media International Rubber Market Weekly Report, 3rd week of June 2026; China Customs Import and Export Data, May 2026
Kazakhstan's annual rubber consumption is approximately 65,000-75,000 tonnes, with natural rubber accounting for about 55% and synthetic rubber about 45%. The country has no natural rubber cultivation conditions, and synthetic rubber production is limited to a small amount of recycled/reprocessed capacity. Consumption growth is mainly driven by tire manufacturing and industrial rubber product demand, with an average annual growth rate of about 4-6%.
| Indicator | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total consumption (10,000 tonnes) | 6.2 | 6.8 | 7.2 |
| Imports (10,000 tonnes) | 6.1 | 6.7 | 7.1 |
| Domestic production (10,000 tonnes) | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Tire manufacturing share | 48% | 50% | 52% |
Source: Kazakhstan National Bureau of Statistics Trade Data, April 2026; Longzhong Info Central Asia Rubber Market Annual Report, December 2025
In June 2026, China's natural rubber (SCRWF) spot price was approximately RMB 15,200-16,300/tonne, down slightly by 2.3% from May. Synthetic rubber SBR1502 price was about RMB 13,100-13,900/tonne. Domestic tire enterprise operating rates remained at 72-76%, with capacity utilization at a moderate level. China's rubber exports to Kazakhstan maintained a growth trend.
Source: 100ppi.com Rubber Channel, June 20, 2026; Longzhong Info Rubber Weekly Report, 3rd week of June 2026; China Customs, May 2026
Kazakhstan's natural rubber imports are 100% dependent on external supply, with Russia accounting for about 48%, China about 22%, and Southeast Asia (mainly Thailand and Vietnam) via re-export trade about 25%. Local NR CIF prices are at a premium of about 12-18% over Chinese port prices, mainly due to inland transportation costs. In synthetic rubber, Russian SBR and BR dominate.
Source: Kazakhstan National Bureau of Statistics, April 2026; Argus Media CIS Rubber Market Report, June 2026
Kazakhstan's imported rubber raw materials are mainly divided into natural rubber (NR) and synthetic rubber (SR). Natural rubber is primarily standard rubber (TSR) and ribbed smoked sheets; synthetic rubber, SBR and BR together account for over 70%, mainly used in tire manufacturing.
| Segment | Annual imports (10,000 tonnes) | Share | Main application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural rubber (NR) | 3.6-4.0 | ~55% | Tires, conveyor belts |
| Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) | 1.5-1.8 | ~24% | Tire tread |
| Butadiene rubber (BR) | 0.9-1.2 | ~16% | Tires, seals |
| Butyl/nitrile rubber | 0.3-0.5 | ~5% | Inner liners, oil-resistant parts |
Source: Kazakhstan National Bureau of Statistics Customs Classification Data, April 2026; Zhuochuang Info Synthetic Rubber Annual Report, December 2025
Tires are the largest end-use segment for rubber consumption in Kazakhstan, accounting for about 52%. KamaTyresKZ has an annual capacity of about 3 million tires, with actual output of about 2.2 million, resulting in a supply-demand gap of about 800,000 tires that needs to be filled by imports. In 2026, tire imports are estimated at about 1.2 million units, mainly from Russia and China.
Source: KamaTyresKZ Annual Operations Report, 2025; Kazakhstan Automobile Industry Association Data, Q1 2026
There is a significant price gap between natural rubber raw material prices in Chinese production areas and CIF prices in Kazakhstan, mainly due to inland logistics and customs clearance costs. The price gap for synthetic rubber is relatively smaller, as Russian supply benefits from geographical proximity. As an intermediate product, natural rubber latex imports by Kazakhstan are limited but command higher unit prices.
| Product | China production area price | Kazakhstan CIF price | Price gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural rubber SCRWF | ~2,100 USD/tonne | ~2,420 USD/tonne | +15% |
| SBR1502 | ~1,850 USD/tonne | ~2,050 USD/tonne | +11% |
| Natural rubber latex (concentrated) | ~1,600 USD/tonne | ~1,950 USD/tonne | +22% |
Source: 100ppi.com Rubber Price Data, June 2026; Argus Media CIS CIF Price Assessment, June 2026
Kazakhstan's GDP growth in 2026 is estimated at 4.2%-4.8%, with manufacturing share steadily increasing. The tenge exchange rate against the USD fluctuated in the range of 460-475 KZT/USD, depreciating by about 6% compared to 2025. China-Kazakhstan bilateral trade volume continues to grow, with rubber and products included in the priority cooperation category list.
Source: World Bank Kazakhstan Economic Brief, June 2026; National Bank of Kazakhstan Exchange Rate Data, June 2026; China Customs, May 2026
⚠ Main Risks: Continued tenge depreciation drives up import costs; Russian supply faces uncertainty due to geopolitical influences; inland transport relies on railways, and logistics bottlenecks may delay deliveries. Opportunity Windows: Deepening China-Kazakhstan "Belt and Road" cooperation expands tariff preferences for rubber products; local tire capacity expansion creates incremental demand; direct supply from China shortens the supply chain, potentially replacing some re-export trade share.
Source: World Bank Kazakhstan Risk Assessment, Q1 2026; China Ministry of Commerce China-Kazakhstan Economic and Trade Cooperation Brief, May 2026