The planned three-month ban on carrot exports that the government intends to introduce may lead to significant losses for farmers, as well as result in the harvest ending up in landfills. According to information from the newspaper "Vremya," a final decision on this matter will be made at the upcoming meeting of the interdepartmental commission.
Baizhan Ualkhanov, chairman of the Union of Potato and Vegetable Growers of Kazakhstan, criticizes the Ministry of Trade and Integration (MTI) for attempting to lower vegetable prices through excessively radical methods.
— The Minister of Trade and Integration is trying to artificially lower prices. By increasing the list of social goods from 19 to 33 items, they risk closing small shops. But the main issue is that the ministry is trying to deal with prices by shutting down exports, which is a very primitive solution, — says Ualkhanov.
He emphasizes that the proposed measures to stop carrot exports affect not only third countries but also EAEU countries, which is a precedent. The situation is exacerbated by the existing trading system:
— Southern Kazakhstan buys carrots from Russians, while Siberian regions of Russia buy from Kazakh farmers. Omsk, Tyumen, and Novosibirsk have always preferred carrots from Pavlodar, as it is closer and cheaper, — he emphasizes.
If the export is banned, Russia, in Ualkhanov's opinion, will not incur losses, as it will simply redirect its internal flows and occupy Kazakh markets. This year, both here and there, there is an overproduction of potatoes and carrots.
— The domestic market of Kazakhstan is saturated, and farmers cannot sell carrots even for 80 tenge per kilogram. Stocks in Pavlodar region exceed 120 thousand tons! — Ualkhanov points out, adding that carrots have a limited shelf life.
— We understand that in April we will inevitably throw away unsold carrots. What should farmers do until then? Bear losses on storage just to throw away the product later? — the speaker poses a rhetorical question.
Some farmers are already considering the possibility of selling off their harvest, as the domestic market is frozen and prices are unsatisfactory.
— Many of them are already excluding carrots from their plans for next year. We may face a real shortage, as up to 50% of producers may refuse to plant. The Ministry of Trade is not responsible for agricultural products, yet it still harms production. If carrots end up being thrown away, the responsibility will fall on the Ministry of Agriculture, and if they are not available next year, the same will apply, while the Ministry of Trade will simply open duty-free imports, filling the shelves with imported carrots, — he believes.
Zeynulla Salmenbaev, head of the farming enterprise "Andas" from Pavlodar region, expresses an even harsher position:
— This is simply sabotage! We cannot sell our carrots due to the saturation of the market with Russian goods. The most absurd thing is that no one is banning the import of Russian carrots, while they want to close our exports. It is easier for the Ministry of Trade to ban exports than to solve farmers' problems. The main thing is to keep prices low.
According to Salmenbaev, the difference between the price of carrots at the producer level and the retail price remains colossal. Farmers sell carrots for 70-80 tenge, while in stores they cost 170. Potatoes go from farmers at 120-130 tenge, while in stores the price reaches 260-300 tenge.
— These are not our markups, but the markups from the retail outlets. But no one is fighting them! What kind of Ministry of Trade is it if it cannot sort out trade? They prefer to punish producers by closing exports. This is the simplest way, which ultimately hits farmers who are forced to sell their products at minimal prices! The Ministry of Trade should be closed; it only hinders! It was better before it existed.
The Ministry of Agriculture explains the necessity of a possible ban on carrot exports with statistical data. From their point of view, this decision is based on the balance of production and consumption within the country.
As reported by the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2025, Kazakhstan harvested 407.8 thousand tons of carrots with a need for 468 thousand tons.
“As of January 8, carrot stocks amount to 156.2 thousand tons. Due to high export demand, its volume has increased by 3.1 times — to 94.7 thousand tons, while imports have decreased to 32.3 thousand tons,” the ministry stated. “In order to ensure the domestic market and stabilize prices, the interdepartmental commission is considering introducing a temporary ban on carrot exports. A final decision has not yet been made.”
However, agrarians disagree with this logic. They argue that dry figures do not reflect the real situation in the fields and warehouses.
— I personally spoke with the chairman of the trade committee of the Ministry of Trade. I convinced them to visit the warehouses and see that they are full of carrots and potatoes. But they do not want to see this! They only consider exports but do not take into account the harvest and real stocks, — says Baizhan Ualkhanov.
The media contacted the Ministry of Trade and Integration to clarify their position, as this agency has the most complaints from farmers. In response, they emphasized that carrots in Kazakhstan are mainly oriented towards the domestic market and are not a fully export-oriented product.
“The issue of ensuring the domestic market and stabilizing prices was discussed at the meeting of the interdepartmental commission. Based on the current situation and the positions of state bodies (including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade), response measures have been developed. Local executive bodies can support farmers through preferential lending and forward purchases for stabilization funds.
If necessary, farmers can contact akimats for support under current legislation.
Assistance in selling products in the domestic market is also planned, as was done in 2023 when specialized fairs were held. A “green corridor” will be in effect to further saturate the market. In addition, the issue of early lifting of export restrictions remains open and may be considered if there is an excess of products at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture,” the agency reported.
