Russia-Kazakhstan trade rises more than 15% in January–May

Trade turnover between Russia and Kazakhstan rose by more than 15% year-on-year in the first five months of 2026, exceeding $12.2 billion, Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Vladimir Ilyichev has said.

Speaking at the 22nd Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan, Ilyichev noted that bilateral trade continues to expand despite existing challenges, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

"Trade between our countries is developing quite well despite the current situation and certain issues we face. Nevertheless, trade turnover increased by more than 15% in January–May this year, exceeding $12.2 billion," he added.

Ilyichev also stated that the current growth rate could allow the two countries to reach their $30 billion bilateral trade target ahead of 2030.

Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Trade and Integration, Aidar Abildabekov, made it clear that bilateral trade exceeded $27 billion in 2025 and continued to grow during the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

According to him, Russia and Kazakhstan remain on track toward the $30 billion trade goal previously set by the two countries' presidents.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov