A new export financing program for oil and fat products has been launched in Kazakhstan.
Today, at Baiterek National Management Holding JSC, trilateral agreements were signed between Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC, Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan JSC, and the country’s leading oilseed processing enterprises — Altyn Shyghys LLP and Qazaq-Astyq Group LLP.
The agreements were concluded as part of a new joint program launched by the Development Bank of Kazakhstan and the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan to support domestic producers of oil and fat products. The program includes pre-export financing aimed at forward purchasing of oilseeds under existing export contracts.
The implementation of this program will help increase production volumes and enhance the international competitiveness of Kazakh producers. In turn, it will contribute to the sustainable development of Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial sector as a whole and ensure greater stability for farmers through consistent demand from processing companies.
“Our producers of oil and fat products have tremendous potential, and we fully recognize their key role in expanding the country’s export portfolio. The pre-export financing provided — including for the purpose of forward purchasing oilseed crops — is intended to give domestic manufacturers the necessary liquidity to fulfill their existing export obligations on time. This will help minimize production and market risks, stabilize supply chains, and ultimately significantly increase the volume of exported finished oil and fat products,” noted Allen Chaizhunusov, Chairman of the Management Board of the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan.
The first participants of the new joint program will be Altyn Shyghys LLP and Qazaq-Astyq Group LLP.
The Development Bank of Kazakhstan will provide financing of up to 15 billion tenge to Altyn Shyghys and up to 8 billion tenge to Qazaq-Astyq Group. These funds will be used for forward purchasing of raw materials from local agricultural producers for further deep processing and subsequent export of finished products. The Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan will provide conditional funding to the Development Bank of Kazakhstan at a reduced rate, as well as insurance coverage for exporters' deferred-payment contracts, allowing exporters to minimize risks when entering foreign markets.
In addition, the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan is implementing a similar funding mechanism for the oil and fat industry through second-tier banks. For example, in May of this year, a similar mechanism was used to fund the exporter Shymkentmay-Donya LLP.
The oil and fat industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan plays a key role in the agro-industrial complex and has significant export potential. The sector continues to show stable growth, with forecasts for 2025–2026 indicating further development and strengthened positions in foreign markets.
There are 55 major enterprises operating in the country capable of processing a variety of crops such as sunflower, rapeseed, soybean, flax, safflower, and cotton. Processing these crops enables exports to international markets, including Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and China.
In 2025, compared to the previous year, Kazakhstan is expected to increase its oilseed planting area by 12.4%, reaching 3.3 million hectares. As a result, exports of vegetable oils and oilseed meal to Central Asia are projected to rise by 6–10%, reaching 580–600 thousand tons, further solidifying the country’s position as a key supplier of oil and fat products in the region.
According to the National Association of Oilseed Processors, in the 2023/24 season, Kazakhstan’s exports of oil and fat products exceeded 1 million tons, marking a 30% increase. The country ranked among the top five exporters of sunflower meal to the European Union and, since 2022, among the top ten global suppliers of sunflower oil. These achievements confirm the high export potential and strategic importance of the oil and fat sector.
