China Replaces Russia As Kazakhstan’s Key Trading Partner For The First Time

Kazakhstan has also increased trade relations with the European Union.

China has become the main trading partner of Kazakhstan, pushing Russia out. The share of China in foreign trade with Kazakhstan in 2022 reached 19.2%, while Russia accounted for 18.8%. This is reported by inbusiness.kz with a reference to the data on the country's foreign trade.

In 2022, Kazakhstan's trade turnover with China increased by $6.2 billion, with Russia — by only $1.5 billion. According to the PRC customs, trade with Kazakhstan last year increased to $31.2 billion.

From January to May 2023, Kazakhstan's trade turnover with China increased by 21.6% compared to the same period last year in monetary terms, reaching $10.7 billion.

China has become the main partner of Kazakhstan largely due to the increase in exports. Beijing supplies Astana with equipment (smartphones, laptops), clothing, and auto parts.

In the future, the trade turnover between the two countries will increase, as the states intend to expand the transport, rail and land infrastructure. The volume of cargo transportation between the countries has already increased by almost 50% in physical terms.

Kazakhstan has also increased trade relations with the European Union: trade with the EU countries in 2022 increased by 40% year-on-year.