Market of Kazakhstan 100% provided with domestic freshwater fish — Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources

At a government session chaired by Prime Minister Askar Mamin, issues of saturation of Kazakhstan’s market with domestic food were considered. The Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Magzum Mirzagaliyev reported on the work carried out in this direction.

One of the sectors of the economy where there are potential reserves for their growth is the fishing industry.

The total volume of the fish and fish products market in Kazakhstan is about 66 thousand tons. Its structure is as follows: fishing — 45 thousand tons, fish farming — 7.4 thousand tons, export — 30 thousand tons, import — 43.5 thousand tons.

According to the Minister of Ecology, Kazakhstan imports ocean fish and seafood. These are herring, mackerel, shrimp, mussels and so on. Imports are from Norway, Russia, Iceland, China and the Baltic countries. At the same time, for the purpose of import substitution in Kazakhstan, it is necessary to grow salmon and sturgeon, to catch herring and sprat in the Caspian Sea.

In turn, Kazakhstan annually exports 30 thousand tons of fish products worth about $60 million to 36 countries of the near and far abroad.

“At the same time, there are significant potential export markets next to us. In particular, the potential niche of exports to the border regions, given the high consumption of fish products in Russia and China, is up to 3 million tons per year. At the same time, according to expert estimates, it is possible to grow up to 600 thousand tons of fish,” Mirzagaliyev said.

There are more than 40 thousand reservoirs in Kazakhstan, of which about 3 thousand are included in the list of fishery reservoirs. Of these, 49% are assigned, 51% are not assigned to the business.

In addition, there are 300 reservoirs, the main focus of which is the supply of water for crop production. At the same time, the potential of the fishing industry for them has not been revealed, although it is significant.

"In this regard, it is necessary to carry out work to secure the reservoirs, taking into account the realization of the potential for growing fish, as well as to make an inventory of reservoirs to determine new promising reservoirs for growing fish," Mirzagaliyev said.

It should be borne in mind that the domestic market is 100% provided with domestic freshwater fish. And 95% of imports are marine and oceanic fish species.

“There is potential for import substitution by raising sturgeon and salmon. Thus, due to planned private investments, the availability of sturgeon on the market will increase from 10% to 65%, and for salmon from 6% to 86% by 2024. And over the next 10 years, the volume of exports will increase, taking into account the capacity of the existing reservoirs,” the minister informed.

In order to simplify and accelerate the use of the existing potential in fish farming, the following measures are being taken:

First. Together with the research and production center for fish farming, standard fish farming projects have been developed, this is a lacustrine commercial fish farm and a farm with a closed cycle of water supply, cage and pond farms. This will allow the business to choose the appropriate type of farm, determine the type of fish, taking into account financial capabilities.

Second. Amendments to the Tax, Water, Land Codes, as well as to the Laws "On the Protection, Reproduction and Use of the Wildlife", "On Architectural, Urban Planning and Construction Activities" have been worked out and are included in the corresponding bill. The amendments are being approved by the Presidential Administration.

Third. It is proposed to increase subsidies from 0% to 50% for fish-breeding and biological justification, the purchase of fish stock, the acquisition and maintenance of brood stocks of valuable fish species, etc. And also subsidies from 25% to 40% for the creation and expansion of a cage fish farm for growing from 40 tons and more of marketable fish per year, with a closed cycle of water supply for growing from 20 tons and more of marketable fish per year.

Fourth. This is a reimbursement of part of the investment costs for the creation and expansion of a cage fish farm, a fish farm with a closed cycle of water supply, as well as processing complexes. For 2021-2023, 6 billion tenge is needed. The budget request has been sent to the Ministry of Finance.

“Considering the available water resources, there is a potential for the growth of fish farming up to 600 thousand tons. The export volume can be increased by 10 times. This will contribute to the creation of at least 100 thousand jobs and increase the income of the population mainly in rural areas,” added Mirzagaliyev.

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