Trade is one of the key sectors of the economy, accounting for approximately 19% of Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product and providing employment for more than 1.5 million people. The industry includes 626 markets and nearly 750,000 business entities, of which over 140,000 are engaged in retail trade.

In the first half of 2025, a steady positive trend was observed. The trade Physical Volume Index (PVI) reached 8.4%, exceeding the target of 8%, while the nominal trade volume amounted to 31.4 trillion tenge. In particular, the PVI for wholesale trade stood at 109.2% (or 21.2 trillion tenge), and for retail trade at 106.6% (10.1 trillion tenge), surpassing the figures for the same period in 2024.

All regions of the country are demonstrating growth, which confirms the resilience and attractiveness of the trade sector.

Special attention is being given to the development of non-commodity exports. Between January and April 2025, trade in the manufacturing sector amounted to USD 25 billion, of which exports accounted for USD 7.8 billion. During this period, there was a significant increase in the supply of sunflower oil (+69.5%), animal feed products (an increase by 2.5 times), as well as unprocessed and semi-processed gold (+52.7%).

Kazakhstan’s key trading partners remain Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, the United States, the Netherlands, France, and Japan.

In the first half of the year, trade and economic missions were conducted in Tehran, Budapest, Xi’an, Kabul, and Chongqing. These missions involved more than 100 domestic exporters who presented a wide range of products, from food and agro-industrial goods to metallurgical, chemical, and medical products. Contracts worth approximately USD 333 million and EUR 15 million were concluded during these events, demonstrating a strong interest in Kazakhstani goods.

The Ministry is implementing an export acceleration program, under which 120 companies are undergoing accelerated development of export activities, supported through consulting, organizational, and financial assistance. Domestic businesses are also actively participating in trade and exhibition events, including the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, which will open up new opportunities for entering the Chinese market.

In addition, continuous improvements are being made to export support measures – from training and advisory services to cost compensation – thereby creating a favorable environment for the development of new export-oriented enterprises.

In the area of consumer rights protection, 27,889 complaints were received during the first six months of 2025, resulting in the reimbursement of 881.4 million tenge to consumers.

Trade is not merely an economic activity; it is the daily work of millions of Kazakhstani citizens ensuring the uninterrupted supply of goods and services to the population and businesses.

The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan expresses its gratitude to all trade professionals for their contribution to the country’s prosperity and wishes them continued success, stability, and growth.