July 2, 2014

Kazakhstan aims to become major beef exporter

Kazakhstan seeks to transform the country into a beef exporting powerhouse, with a plan to import 10,000 US and Australian Angus and Hereford cattle and create its own breeder herds.

Currently, the country exports 5,000 tonnes of beef and beef product annually, with raw beef exports accounting for only 500 tonnes in 2013.

In 2011, the Kazakhstan government launched a 'Development of export potential of beef' initiative and provided assistance to the industry to set up commercial farms, industrial feedlots and meat processing plants.

The government also increased subsidies, cut down red tape in the agriculture sector, and tightened health controls to prevent the spread of diseases.

Kazakhstan is mainly targeting Russia and China for its beef exports, and hopes to increase beef exports to 180,000 tonnes by 2020.