With a population of just over 20 million, vast natural resources, and a key location bridging Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan is becoming an increasingly promising market for U.S. exporters. In 2024, North Dakota exported $3.4 million in goods to Kazakhstan, underscoring the country’s growing importance as a Central Asian trade partner—especially in agriculture, energy technologies, and industrial machinery.
Kazakhstan’s drive to modernize its economy and diversify beyond oil and gas presents clear opportunities for North Dakota businesses with expertise in agricultural innovation, renewable energy, and manufacturing.
The NDTO “Finding the Right Fit” series highlights the trade and business opportunities of a different country each month. In this edition, we’ll explore Kazakhstan’s market potential, priority sectors, and how building a relationship with this emerging economy can benefit your business.
All statistics and information used in the “Finding the Right Fit” series are available through various online programs made accessible through an NDTO membership. To become a member, please contact info@ndto.com or call (701) 231-4323.
Markets & Profitability
In 2024, North Dakota’s top exports to Kazakhstan included industrial machinery, rubber and articles thereof, furniture, tools, and articles of iron or steel. These exports support Kazakhstan’s ongoing agricultural and industrial upgrades, and its growing interest in American-made inputs for boosting food and energy security.
Nationwide, Kazakhstan imported more than $1 billion in U.S. goods last year. Key sectors included machinery, vehicles, food products, chemicals, and renewable energy technologies. The country is investing heavily in its agriculture sector, aiming to become a leading food exporter in the region. This opens the door for North Dakota businesses in seed technology, precision ag, water-efficient irrigation, and storage systems.
Kazakhstan also relies on U.S. expertise for upgrading its energy grid, renewable power systems, and oil extraction equipment, especially in harsh or remote environments.
Expansion
Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world—and one of the most strategically located. It borders Russia and China, and it plays a key role in the Trans-Caspian and Belt and Road Initiative trade corridors, connecting Europe and Asia. For North Dakota exporters, this means access not just to Kazakhstan, but to broader Central Asian and Eurasian markets.
Kazakhstan is a member of the World Trade Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, and has a bilateral investment treaty with the United States. Its government continues to push for economic diversification and foreign investment through infrastructure development, green energy initiatives, and digitization of its economy.
Improving logistics infrastructure—including upgrades to rail networks, dry ports, and customs procedures—has also helped reduce delivery times and improve trade reliability.
The Ideal Partner
Still wondering if Kazakhstan is a smart export destination for your business? Here are some reasons why it could be the right fit:
Kazakhstan is actively working to modernize its agriculture sector, aiming to increase yields, improve food security, and become a major exporter. That’s a great match for North Dakota’s expertise in ag tech, crop genetics, and farm equipment.
The country’s energy transition efforts are driving demand for renewable energy components, emissions-reducing technologies, and sustainable fuels—areas where North Dakota innovators are increasingly competitive.
Kazakhstan is also investing in education and workforce training, and many Kazakh professionals are fluent in English, making technical cooperation and customer service more seamless.
Is Kazakhstan a Compatible Market for You?
Choosing the right export destination takes research and strategy, but Kazakhstan’s rising demand for agricultural solutions, energy technologies, and industrial modernization makes it a strong candidate for North Dakota exporters.
Whether you specialize in farm machinery, food processing, or energy efficiency systems, Kazakhstan presents real opportunities for expanding your reach in a dynamic, resource-rich region.
Want to learn more about exporting to Kazakhstan—or “Finding the Right Fit”? Contact the NDTO today!