Kazakhstan's light industry sector reached 259.5 billion tenge in total output during 2025, according to Mukhamed Andakov, Deputy Chair of the Industry Committee. The announcement highlights the nation's ongoing efforts to develop its domestic manufacturing base in a market still heavily reliant on foreign supplies.
Textile manufacturing dominated the sector, generating 159 billion tenge in output. Clothing production contributed approximately 84 billion tenge, while leather and related products accounted for nearly 17 billion tenge. The breakdown underscores the sector's reliance on fabric and garment manufacturing, with ancillary segments like leather goods representing a smaller but notable presence.
Investment flowing into the industry totaled 40 billion tenge last year. In economic terms, the light industry contributed 0.1 percent to Kazakhstan's gross domestic product, 0.4 percent to overall industrial production, and 0.8 percent to the manufacturing sector. The sector currently employs over 26,000 workers across the country.
Despite this growth, Kazakhstan's light industry market—valued at $3.6 billion, equivalent to 1,871.5 billion tenge—remains predominantly supplied by imports. Domestic manufacturers captured 8.1 percent of the market in 2025, a meaningful improvement from the 5.1 percent share recorded in 2024. This increase suggests gradually strengthening local production capacity, though imports still covered the vast majority of domestic demand.
Import volumes reflected this dynamic, with light industry imports reaching $3.2 billion by late 2025. The gap between market size and domestic production indicates significant opportunities for further sector development, particularly as the government seeks to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers across the industrial landscape.