ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s ice cream exports reached $59.5 million in January-August, up from $1.2 million in the same period of 2017, marking an almost 50-fold increase over nine years. Kazakhstan exported 15,300 tons of ice cream in the first eight months this year.
Compared with the same period last year, export volumes rose 28.9%, while export value increased 50.3%, reported QazTrade, Kazakhstan’s trade policy development center, on Oct. 20. Russia remained the largest market for Kazakh ice cream, importing 10,700 tons worth $41.6 million.
The country accounted for nearly 70% of Kazakhstan’s total ice cream exports. The Kyrgyz Republic ranked second, importing 3,400 tons worth $11.6 million, followed by Uzbekistan, which purchased 965 tons valued at $5.1 million. Kazakhstan is also expanding its export geography.
Shipments to Tajikistan increased 3.2-fold in volume, while exports to Azerbaijan rose 2.1-fold. Kazakh ice cream also entered the Georgian market this year. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan strengthened its trade surplus in the ice cream category. Imports totaled $39.1 million in January-August, while the trade surplus widened from $3.6 million to $20.4 million year on year, an almost 5.7-fold increase.
Total foreign trade in ice cream reached $98.7 million during the reporting period, up 30.5% compared with the same period in 2025.