Kazakhstan Sunflower Industry: Growth Drivers & Equipment Solutions for Processing

Kazakhstan is emerging as a global player in the sunflower industry, poised to rank 6th worldwide in sunflower seed production and already among the top 10 vegetable oil exporters. With its processing and export capacity continuously expanding, the country’s sunflower sector presents significant opportunities for agricultural businesses—and the right processing equipment is key to seizing them.

Towards a Leading Global Sunflower Producer

Though sunflower harvesting in Kazakhstan is not yet fully completed, forecasts suggest the country will hit a historic record of 1.7 million tons of sunflower seeds in 2025. If achieved, this would place Kazakhstan 6th globally in sunflower production, nearly matching Turkey’s projected 1.8 million tons. The top four global producers for the 2025/26 marketing year remain traditional powerhouses: Russia (18 million tons), Ukraine (13.1 million tons), the EU (9.5 million tons), and Argentina (4.3 million tons), according to Andrey Antonov, Strategic Development Director of the National Association of Oilseed Processors.

Three major grain-producing regions are driving this growth, with enormous potential for sunflower cultivation. Currently, sunflower accounts for less than 3% of crops in these areas, but planting areas have expanded consistently over the past three years. Farmers aim to further increase this proportion, as Kazakhstan plans to build multiple new processing plants in the coming years—all requiring a steady supply of high-quality raw materials.

Agricultural ministry data highlights the expansion: South Kazakhstan Region planted 760,000 hectares of oilseeds, harvesting a record 1.2 million tons with an average yield of 12 quintals per mu. Akmola Region doubled its oilseed area by 2.5 times to 500,000 hectares, producing 554,000 tons at 11.2 quintals per mu. Kostanay Region expanded from 691,400 to 873,500 hectares; despite rainfall-delayed harvesting, 860,000 hectares have been harvested, yielding 868,600 tons at 10.1 quintals per mu.

Processing Capacity: Expansion & the Need for Quality Equipment

Kazakhstan’s current oilseed processing capacity reaches 5 million tons, with sunflower processing alone accounting for 4.1 million tons. Regional breakdown shows West Kazakhstan Region produces around 100,000 tons (due to smaller planting areas), while South Kazakhstan, Kostanay, and Akmola Regions each process over 1.3 million tons. Eastern Kazakhstan, Abai, and Pavlodar Regions collectively process over 2 million tons annually, Antonov noted.

The country is actively adding new capacity—over 1.6 million tons of oilseed processing capacity is planned by 2027-2028, half of which will be in the three major grain-producing regions. A 500,000-ton/year plant is under construction in the east, and a 330,000-ton facility in the south.

To meet the growing demand for high-quality sunflower processing, equipment that ensures impurity reduction and raw material purity is essential. This is where solutions like the KTF5-3000 Sunflower Seeds Dehuller and 5XF-2000 Air-Screen Cleaner come into play. The KTF5-3000 efficiently removes shells from sunflower seeds, while the 5XF-2000 uses air-screen technology to eliminate dust, stones, and other impurities. Together, they guarantee the low-impurity raw materials critical for producing premium vegetable oil—addressing the core need of Kazakhstan’s expanding processing plants.

Export Market Growth & Equipment for Higher Oil Yield

Kazakhstan has established a strong presence in Central Asia’s vegetable oil market, supplying Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. These countries import about 1 million tons of vegetable oil annually, and Kazakhstan captured 60% of this market in 2024—with Uzbekistan (65%), Tajikistan (74%), Kyrgyzstan (25%), and Turkmenistan (25%) as key buyers. Sunflower oil accounts for over 92% of exported vegetable oils.

“We plan to increase refined oil production to 600,000 tons by 2026, reducing import dependence,” Antonov added. “Higher capacity utilization, improved factory competitiveness, and deep-processed products will boost processor profitability—enabling them to pay better prices for raw materials.”

Uzbekistan’s interest in Kazakhstan’s sunflower sector underscores this growth: Uzbek processors now import over 200,000 tons of raw materials/semi-finished products and 150,000 tons of finished oil annually from Kazakhstan, with Uzbek enterprises investing in Kazakh oil plants. Farmers, meanwhile, are expanding sunflower planting but note storage challenges—highlighting the need for advanced processing and storage infrastructure.

Another key factor in boosting processor profitability is oil yield. The Oil seeds Vertical Electric Cooker is designed to optimize this: its vertical structure ensures uniform heating of sunflower seeds, significantly increasing oil extraction rates. For Kazakhstan’s processors aiming to capitalize on export demand and higher margins, this equipment is a game-changer.

Partnering for Kazakhstan’s Sunflower Success

As Kazakhstan’s sunflower industry grows—driven by expanded planting, new processing capacity, and strong export demand—the right equipment will be pivotal to maintaining quality and efficiency. ISORT YM’s KTF5-3000 Sunflower Seeds Dehuller, 5XF-2000 Air-Screen Cleaner, and Oil seeds Vertical Electric Cooker are tailored to address the sector’s core needs: impurity reduction, raw material purity, and higher oil yield. By integrating these solutions, Kazakh processors can enhance product quality, meet international standards, and thrive in the global sunflower market.