Kazakhstan growth gap widens: oil at 91.1% of 2025, machinery up 22%

August 14, 2026 at 04:45 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakhstan's economy grew unevenly in the first seven months of 2026, with oil extraction at 53.2 million tonnes, only 91.1% of the year-earlier level, while machinery output rose 22% and chemicals reached an industrial production index of 126.9%. Overall manufacturing rose 9%, but metallurgy contracted and food production missed plan, prompting Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin to order direct consultations with large enterprises to remove growth barriers.

Oil and Metallurgy Lag

Oil extraction reached 53.2 million tonnes over January–July, equal to 91.1% of production in the same period a year earlier. Metallurgy, which accounts for 42.8% of manufacturing, posted an industrial production index of 97.3%, while non-ferrous metallurgy fell to 95.4%. The main factor was lower gold output, though gold production has now recovered for two consecutive months; January–July output was 39.3 tonnes against a January–August plan of 45.8 tonnes.

Machinery and Chemicals Surge

Machine building grew 22% over seven months, with automotive production up 29.9% and 102,870 passenger cars assembled, a 36% increase year on year. Chemical industry output rose to an industrial production index of 126.9%. Household appliance producers lifted output by 34–38%, and production of refrigeration and freezing equipment expanded 3.2 times.

Construction and Food Gaps

Construction materials output reached 9.5 million tonnes with an industrial production index of 109.4%, down from 114.1% in the first half, while construction itself accelerated to 15.3% growth. Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin ordered officials to establish why material production is lagging construction demand. Food production grew 13.9% against a 14.7% plan; by year-end, 33 agricultural processing projects worth 122.4 billion tenge are due to be completed.