Kazakhstan expands greenhouse and storage projects to cut food import reliance

Kazakhstan is rolling out large-scale investment projects aimed at reducing dependence on food imports, with a focus on fresh fruits and vegetables. The Ministry of Agriculture said 202 initiatives are planned by 2027, many of them targeting greenhouse complexes, storage facilities, and processing plants.

New greenhouse clusters are being developed in the Shymkent, Turkestan, West Kazakhstan, and Almaty regions. These are expected to ensure year-round supplies of cucumbers, tomatoes, and leafy greens. Investments in modern storage infrastructure are also underway, designed to extend the shelf life of harvested produce without compromising quality.

Food processing is another priority. Contracts have been signed with international companies including PepsiCo and Iran’s Solico to expand domestic capacity for potatoes, fruits, and melons. In total, 27 projects are being implemented to strengthen Kazakhstan’s position in these segments.

According to the Ministry of Trade, imports account for 16.5% of socially important food products, and up to 50% in border regions. The government expects that expanding greenhouse output and storage facilities will help reduce this dependence and stabilize supplies of fresh produce.

Digital monitoring systems are also being introduced to allow regional authorities to track the balance between imports and domestic production in real time, enabling faster responses to market shortages and more efficient support for local producers.