- Policy shift: China now allows Kazakh traders (not only producers) to export feed meal, expanding commercial participation in the cross-border trade.
- Export momentum: Kazakhstan shipped 2,154.3 thousand tons of feed meal in the first seven months of 2024/25 MY, already 97% of last season’s volume, with March 2025/26 flows holding steady month-on-month.
- Capacity pipeline: 46 Kazakh enterprises are accredited, while 52 additional applications are pending with China’s customs authority, signaling potential for further supply growth.
- Concentration risk: Over 99% of exports are destined for China, leaving the market highly exposed to Chinese regulatory or demand changes.
China Opens Feed Meal Trade to Kazakh Traders
China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) has authorized Kazakh traders to export feed products to China, expanding eligibility beyond the previous producer-only framework. The policy applies solely to products manufactured at GAC-registered enterprises, according to Yevgeny Karabanov, Head of the Analytics Committee of the Legislative Assembly of Kazakhstan.
This regulatory breakthrough broadens commercial participation in the trade, giving Kazakh market participants greater flexibility in structuring sales, managing risk, and optimizing logistics for feed meal shipments into China.
Export Volumes and Market Structure
Kazakhstan’s feed meal exports remained robust in March 2025/26, totaling 327.2 thousand tons, virtually unchanged from 327.8 thousand tons in February. Over the first seven months of the season, shipments reached 2,154.3 thousand tons, already 97% of the entire 2024/25 marketing year volume. More than 99% of these exports were directed to the Chinese market, underscoring China’s dominant role as the primary outlet for Kazakh feed meal.
Regulatory Accreditation and Supply Capacity
China introduced updated accreditation rules in March 2025 requiring all suppliers of wheat-barley feed mixtures to obtain formal authorization. Since then, 27 Kazakh enterprises achieved accreditation in March, followed by an additional 19 in April, bringing the total to 46 approved entities. A further 52 manufacturer applications remain under GAC review, representing a significant potential increase in export capacity once approved.
Export and Accreditation Metrics
| Indicator | Period / Status | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Feed meal exports | February 2025/26 | 327.8 thousand tons |
| Feed meal exports | March 2025/26 | 327.2 thousand tons |
| Cumulative exports | First 7 months 2024/25 MY | 2,154.3 thousand tons |
| Share to China | Current season | >99% of exports |
| Accredited enterprises | March 2025 | 27 |
| Accredited enterprises | April 2025 | 19 |
| Total accredited enterprises | As of end-April 2025 | 46 |
| Pending applications | Under GAC review | 52 |
Market and Logistics Implications
The expanded eligibility for traders is likely to enhance market liquidity and support sustained export flows from Kazakhstan to China. Strong volumes despite lingering border bottlenecks highlight resilient Chinese demand and suggest continued utilization of northbound rail corridors. At the same time, the heavy concentration of exports into a single destination leaves Kazakh suppliers vulnerable to future adjustments in Chinese policy or shifts in feed demand, making close monitoring of accreditation progress and regulatory developments essential.
Source: Market Data
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