According to the latest data for 2025, Kazakhstan’s largest city and business capital, Almaty, has become the absolute leader among the country’s regions in terms of foreign trade volume. The city’s trade turnover totaled $7.2 billion, including $1.3 billion of exports, 12.4% more than a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration.
Almaty continues strengthening its position as a major exporter of high value-added products. The city’s main export items include gas turbines, aircraft engines, smartphones, metal structures, hot-rolled rods, alloy steel, sugar, and mineral fertilizers. In addition, aircraft, mineral water, animal feed, chocolate, TV sets, cosmetics, and jewelry occupy an increasing share of exports.
The city’s main trading partners are China ($1.8 billion), Russia ($1.58 billion), and the Republic of Korea ($346 million).
In 2024, Kazakhstan’s total exports reached $81.6 billion, with non-resource exports showing an impressive growth, amounting to $40.6 billion, including $28.8 billion worth of goods and $11.8 billion worth of services, according to the Ministry of Trade and Integration.
Imports totaled $59.8 billion, down 1% from 2023.
In 2024, Kazakhstan’s main trading partners were Russia, China, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Russia imported non-resource goods from Kazakhstan worth $8.1 billion. China imported products worth $7.19 billion.
Kazakhstan also expanded trade with the United States, Tajikistan, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Japan. These countries imported Kazakh uranium, copper and cathodes, ferroalloys, flat rolled steel, and chemical products.
However, the ministry acknowledges that despite the positive trends, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade faces a number of challenges, including logistical difficulties, high transportation costs, and problems with certification of products to meet international quality standards.
