Kazakhstan is implementing large-scale investment projects aimed at reducing reliance on food imports, with a particular focus on fresh fruit and vegetables. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 202 projects are planned until 2027, many of them targeting greenhouse production, storage, and processing facilities.
In Shymkent, Turkistan, West Kazakhstan, and Almaty regions, new greenhouse clusters are being established. These facilities are expected to provide the domestic market with a steady supply of cucumbers, tomatoes, and leafy greens during the off-season. Parallel investments are directed toward modern storage infrastructure, allowing harvested produce to remain available for longer periods without compromising quality.
Fruit and vegetable processing is also a key part of the strategy. Contracts have already been signed with international companies, including Pepsico and Iran's Solico, to expand domestic capacity for potato, fruit, and melon processing. In total, 27 additional projects are underway to strengthen Kazakhstan's position in these segments.
The Ministry of Trade notes that imported products currently account for 16.5% of socially significant food items, while in border regions the share reaches 50%. By improving greenhouse output and developing storage facilities, the government expects to reduce this dependence and stabilize supplies of fresh produce throughout the year.
Digital monitoring systems are being introduced to help regional authorities track the balance between imports and domestic production in real time, enabling quicker response to market shortages and more efficient support for local producers.
Source: kz.kursiv.media / www.tazabek.kg