Russian Beer Imports to Kazakhstan Surge

Supplies of Russian beer to Kazakhstan rose by nearly 50% in the first quarter of 2025, with imports of Russian wine also showing growth, Orda.kz reports.

According to calculations by the Russian agency Prime, beer exports from Russia to Kazakhstan reached $6.3 million between January and March.

Russia remains the dominant player in Kazakhstan’s beer market, now holding a 64% market share — up four percentage points from the end of last year. German beer accounts for just five percent of the market, while Czech beer holds a two percent share.

Other low-alcohol beverages are also imported from Bulgaria, Georgia, and Mexico.

Russian wine imports saw a year-on-year increase of 4.6%, reaching $294,000. However, Russia’s presence in Kazakhstan’s wine market remains limited, with only a 3% share. Georgia and Italy lead in wine exports to Kazakhstan, with 24% and 20% of the market, respectively.

The growing presence of Russian beer may be partly linked to the return of Baltika-branded beverages to store shelves. Baltika is one of Russia’s largest beer producers.

In November of last year, Galanz Bottlers and the official Baltika exporter, Trade SA LLC, signed a distribution agreement in Kazakhstan — a move that directly boosted Russian imports.

Original Author: Nikita Drobny