The government’s proposal to impose a three-month ban on carrot exports, including to EAEU countries, may lead to serious consequences for farmers, including significant financial losses, underutilized harvests, and a potential refusal to plant crops next year. This decision is expected to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of the interdepartmental commission, reports the newspaper "Vremya".
Baizhan UALKHANOV, chairman of the Union of Potato and Vegetable Growers of Kazakhstan, believes that the Ministry of Trade and Integration (MTI) is trying to lower prices for products using ineffective methods.
— The MTI is trying by any means to devalue goods. By expanding the list of social products from 19 to 33 items, the ministry risks leading to the closure of small shops. However, the real problem is that the ministry is addressing the task of lowering prices through an export ban, — emphasizes Ualkhanov.
He notes that such measures have not been applied before: the planned ban concerns not only third countries but also EAEU countries. This creates additional difficulties in the already established trading system:
— Southern Kazakhstan purchases carrots from Russia, while Siberia, on the contrary, imports Kazakh products. Omsk, Tyumen, Barnaul, Novosibirsk, and Chelyabinsk traditionally receive carrots from Pavlodar — this is more advantageous in terms of distance and price.
Ualkhanov points out that if exports are restricted, Russia will easily restructure its internal flows and capture the markets of Kazakh farmers. This year, both countries faced an oversupply of carrots and potatoes.
— The domestic market of Kazakhstan is saturated, and farmers cannot sell carrots even at 80 tenge per kilogram — there is no demand! In Pavlodar region, over 120 thousand tons of unsold carrots have accumulated, — he adds.
At the same time, the shelf life of carrots is limited.
— Carrots store worse than potatoes. In April, we will find ourselves in a situation where we will have to throw away unsold products. And what about the farms until April? Bear storage costs without income, only to end up throwing the goods away? — questions Ualkhanov.
Some farmers are already ready to get rid of their harvest as the market is unresponsive and prices remain low:
— Many farmers are excluding carrots from their plans for next year. In 2024, there may be a real shortage since up to 50% of producers will refuse to plant them. The Ministry of Trade, unlike the Ministry of Agriculture, is not responsible for agricultural production, but nevertheless causes it serious damage. If tomorrow carrots end up in a landfill, the responsibility will fall on the Ministry of Agriculture, and if they are lacking next year — the Ministry of Agriculture will also be to blame. And the Ministry of Trade will simply open duty-free imports and fill the market with Chinese and Russian carrots!
Zeynulla SALMENBAEV, head of the "Andas" farm from Pavlodar region, expresses even sharper opinions:
— This is just sabotage! We cannot sell our carrots as the market is flooded with Russian products. The most absurd thing in this situation is that no one has banned the import of Russian carrots. They will continue to flow into Kazakhstan, while we are being told we cannot export our own. It is easier for the Ministry of Trade to impose a ban because it is not responsible for farmers. The main thing is to keep prices low.
According to Salmenbaev, the difference between the prices of carrots at the producer level and in stores remains significant. Farmers offer carrots at 70-80 tenge, while in stores they cost 170 tenge. In the case of potatoes, the production price is 120-130 tenge, while in stores it is 260-300 tenge.
— These markups are not ours, but those of the retail outlets. But no one is fighting them! What kind of Ministry of Trade is it if it cannot sort out trade? The agency does not want to work with stores and simply punishes producers by closing exports. This is the easiest way, but the consequences fall on farmers who are forced to sell their products at minimal prices! The Ministry of Trade should be closed; it only hinders! Before its establishment, it was easier for farmers.
The Ministry of Agriculture explains the possible export ban on carrots with statistical data, claiming that the decision is based on the balance of production, stocks, and consumption in the country.
According to information provided by the newspaper "Vremya" from the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2025 Kazakhstan harvested 407.8 thousand tons of carrots against an annual need of 468 thousand tons.
“As of January 8, carrot stocks amount to 156.2 thousand tons. Exports, against the backdrop of high demand from neighbors, have increased 3.1 times — up to 94.7 thousand tons, while imports have decreased to 32.3 thousand tons,” the ministry reported. “In order to ensure the domestic market and control prices, the interdepartmental commission is considering the possibility of a temporary ban on carrot exports. However, a final decision has not yet been made.”
Agrarians disagree with this logic. They argue that the 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 and asked him to visit the warehouses to see how they are overflowing with carrots and potatoes. But they do not want to do this! They consider exports but do not take into account the harvest and real stocks, — says Baizhan Ualkhanov, head of the Union of Potato and Vegetable Growers of the country.
The media sought comments from the Ministry of Trade and Integration, which has the most questions from farmers. The agency noted that carrots in Kazakhstan are mainly intended for 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. Given 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, together with the SPK, can provide support to farmers through preferential lending and forward purchases for stabilization funds.
If necessary, farmers can contact akimats for support within the framework of current legislation.
Assistance in selling products in the domestic market is also planned, as was done in 2023 when specialized fairs were held. To further saturate the market, a “green corridor” is in effect. In addition, the issue of early lifting of export restrictions remains open and may be considered if there is an oversupply of products at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture,” the agency reported.
