Kazakhstan Reports Record Ice Cream Production in June

Kazakhstan's ice cream production experienced a dramatic surge in June, reaching almost 20,100 tons. This figure more than doubles the output from June of the previous year, signaling a significant boom in the country's dairy sector. The Bureau of National Statistics reported the record-breaking figures, highlighting ice cream as one of the fastest-growing product categories in the first half of the year.

This impressive growth aligns with a broader trend in Kazakhstan's dairy manufacturing, which saw an 11.9% increase in output during the first six months of the year. Cheese and butter production also contributed to this expansion, but ice cream's performance has been particularly stellar. June's production not only surpassed last year's figures by 116% but also nearly doubled the output from May. It significantly exceeded the five-year June average by 2.5 times and broke the previous monthly record set in July 2016.

Plombir, a rich vanilla ice cream, saw the most dramatic increase, with production reaching 10,200 tons, 3.6 times higher than in June of the previous year. Cream ice cream production also saw substantial growth, rising 75% year-on-year. The financial impact is equally striking, with ice cream manufacturers generating goods worth 24.3 billion tenge (US$45.4 million) in June, doubling both year-on-year and month-on-month values. The sector has shown sustained momentum since late 2024, with consistent annual growth accelerating in 2026.

Adding to its success, Kazakhstan became a net exporter of ice cream for the first time in its history last year, with exports now exceeding imports. This development underscores the growing strength and international competitiveness of the nation's dairy industry.