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The Trade Committee of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan has summarized the results of its work for the first half of 2026. During the meeting, the results of measures to stabilize prices for socially significant food products were reviewed, as well as the effectiveness of the work of territorial departments.

Thanks to the systematic work carried out, the growth rate of prices for socially significant goods in the country has significantly decreased compared to the same period — by 4.6 percent.

This was achieved by strengthening state control, expanding the list of goods under monitoring, as well as support measures for domestic producers.

A total of 3,907 administrative cases were registered, of which 2,391 are related to exceeding the permissible trade markup. As a result of the work of regional commissions, 2,322 violations were identified, and 164 inefficient intermediaries were eliminated from supply chains.

In addition, as part of control measures, more than 46.5 thousand illegally imported eggs were seized, digital food vouchers were introduced, as well as price monitoring for 31 commodity items. 132 agricultural fairs were organized weekly. The modernization of 25 trade markets and the strengthening of executive discipline for the timely provision of information are under special control.

At the same time, following the results of June, a decrease in the effectiveness of price control work was noted in certain regions.

The work of Atyrau and North Kazakhstan regions in the field of state control was criticized. In particular, in the Atyrau region, only 12 violations were identified in the first half of the year, which indicates insufficient effectiveness of control activities. In addition, since the beginning of the year, not a single inefficient intermediary has been eliminated from the market in Abai, Aktobe, Karaganda, Zhambyl, Turkestan regions and the city of Astana.

«We do not need meetings held for the sake of reporting. We need a concrete result — identifying violations, eliminating inefficient intermediaries from the market, and preventing unjustified price increases remain our main tasks», — emphasized Yernur Zhautykov, Chairman of the Trade Committee, outlining strict requirements for the quality of control work.

Following the results of the board meeting, it was instructed to complete the modernization of trade markets by the end of 2026. The main priorities for the second half of the year are maintaining price stability, developing small "near-home" fairs, as well as implementing the digital food voucher project.

A pilot project for confectionery labeling began in Kazakhstan on June 1, 2026, and will run until June 1, 2027. This is the latest step in the country's digital product traceability policy, designed to protect the market from counterfeiting and increase supply chain transparency.

Leading industry companies have already joined the project. Domestic producers include Bayan Sulu LLC and Lotte Rakhat LLC, while importers include Mars Kazakhstan LLC, Ferrero Kazakhstan LLC, Mondelez Kazakhstan LLC, and Nestlé Food Kazakhstan LLC. According to the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Bayan Sulu and Rakhat together account for approximately 50% of domestic confectionery production, and including imports, approximately 30% of the total market. This makes the pilot project highly representative and ensures the participation of key industry players.

In accordance with the EAEU agreement, the following main categories of confectionery products are subject to labeling: sugar confectionery, chocolate and chocolate products, cookies, wafers, flour confectionery, marmalade, jams, fruit and nut spreads, and other products.

The pilot phase aims to identify technical and organizational risks, assess the need for refinement of business processes, and formulate proposals for improving the regulatory framework. Participants will have the opportunity to freely test the functionality of the labeling and traceability information system, practice integrating the labeling tool with production and logistics processes, and test various methods of applying codes to products.

Digital labeling is designed to protect consumers from counterfeit and illegal products, increase supply chain transparency, ensure fair competition, and create conditions for industry development. A decision on introducing mandatory labeling will be made based on the pilot project's results and proposals from market participants.

Mandatory labeling in Kazakhstan is already in effect for footwear, tobacco products, pharmaceuticals, beer, motor oil, and saiga derivatives. Labeling of dietary supplements is planned for September of this year, and for light industry goods and jewelry in December. Pilot projects for labeling liquefied gas in household cylinders and wood have already been completed, and pilot projects for labeling vegetable oil, household chemicals, and cosmetics are underway.

To join the pilot project, manufacturers, importers, and other participants must submit an application to the Single Operator for Labeling and Traceability of Goods at info@digitaleconomy.kz.

The requirement for the "Made in Kazakhstan" labeling now applies not only to retail chains but also to online platforms. The Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan is strengthening the rules for promoting domestic goods both in offline retail and e-commerce. Marketplaces will be required to implement mandatory mechanisms for the priority display of Kazakhstani products in search results and to create separate "Made in Kazakhstan" sections. Currently, the package of relevant legislative amendments is undergoing coordination procedures with interested state bodies. This was stated by the Acting Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aizhan Bijanova, at the round table "Promotion of the national brand 'Made in Kazakhstan' in retail chains."

The new requirements are part of a broader state policy to support domestic producers. Legislation already mandates a mandatory share of Kazakhstani goods in retail outlets. Today, it constitutes at least 30 percent of the assortment. An additional up to 20 percent of shelf space can be allocated through support programs involving the "Damu" fund. In total, domestic products can occupy up to half of a store's assortment.

"At the same time, it is no less important for the buyer to see the domestic product. Therefore, the legislation establishes requirements not only for the quantity but also for the quality of the display of domestic products. Products from domestic manufacturers should be placed in visually and physically accessible locations at the buyer's eye level. This is the so-called 'golden shelf.' It is from this shelf that the buyer takes the product first. I think the Kazakhstani producer has the right to this place," noted Aizhan Bijanova.

The effectiveness of such approaches is confirmed by the results of an experiment by the National Analytical Center at Nazarbayev University. Together with the Magnum retail chain, researchers tested behavioral tools to promote Kazakhstani cheeses. The project was implemented with methodological support from the British company Behavioural Insights Team, specializing in behavioral science.

The stores used simple visual solutions: banners, shelf dividers, stickers, shelf strips, and audio announcements emphasizing the "Made in Kazakhstan" labeling. The experiment took place in a real shopping environment over four weeks.

The result exceeded international benchmarks. Sales of Kazakhstani cheese in the pilot stores increased by 20 percent. For comparison: the global average effect of similar behavioral tools is estimated at about 8 percent.

"We decided to test behavioral tools in the Kazakhstani context using cheese as an example. Cheese is on the list of basic food products, yet it has a high share of imports (47%). In just 4 weeks of the experiment, sales of Kazakhstani cheese in the pilot stores increased by 20%! This is a very high indicator. Our experiment proves that Kazakhstani people are ready to show 'economic patriotism'; they just need help making this choice in the store, that is, making the product more recognizable and visible," noted Saltanat Dzhanenova, Director of the Center for Public Administration and Behavioral Public Policy of the NAC.

The Ministry is also strengthening control over compliance with the requirements. Appeals about violations of the legislation can serve as grounds for unscheduled inspections. Fines are provided for restricting access of domestic goods to retail networks, failure to comply with instructions, and violation of terms of work with suppliers.

In parallel, the MTI is preparing new legislative changes. It is planned to introduce the concept of an "unproductive intermediary," strengthen control over trade barriers, and enshrine the obligation of retail outlets to provide domestic producers with access to retail space when vacancies are available.

The issue of price control for socially significant food products (SSFP) is one of the priority areas of activity for the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

A set of measures, including state control, is being implemented to stabilize prices.

Since the beginning of 2026, the list of SSFPs has been expanded from 19 to 31 items, which necessitates the strengthening of control measures.

As of mid-April of the current year, 1,406 administrative fines have been imposed for exceeding the maximum trade markup on SSFPs, which constitutes approximately 50% of the total number of violations detected under this article for the entire year of 2025 (2,913).

The work of regional commissions to identify intermediary schemes throughout the entire pricing chain has been intensified. A total of 372 meetings have been held nationwide, 1,092 violations have been identified, 974 protocols have been drawn up, and 118 intermediaries have been excluded from the supply chains.

One of the key areas is the analysis of electronic invoices. Since the beginning of the year, 2,361 risks of exceeding the trade markup have been identified, with information on them sent to territorial subdivisions for detailed analysis and appropriate measures.

It should be noted that the Ministry is implementing modern approaches to control. Within the framework of analyzing electronic invoices, digital tools, including artificial intelligence technologies, are being used, which allows for processing significant volumes of data in a short time and increasing the efficiency of identifying violations.

New methods of analytical data processing are being applied to counter unproductive intermediation. In particular, chains involving three or more wholesale links within one region, as well as transactions of four or more links completed within one day, are being identified. Additionally, an analysis of the affiliation of transaction participants is being conducted. All identified risks are sent for consideration by regional commissions, whose task is to assess compliance with trade legislation requirements and take measures to exclude unproductive intermediaries.

The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan will continue to work on improving state control mechanisms and taking necessary measures aimed at ensuring price stability for socially significant food products.

Based on the results of comprehensive monitoring of the "Dina" wholesale market, facts of significant price inflation for socially important products by one of the individual entrepreneurs have been identified. Analysis of electronic invoices showed that trade markups on carrots, potatoes, and cabbage repeatedly exceeded permissible norms.

Carrots: with a purchase price from farms in the Pavlodar region at 170 tenge/kg, the goods were resold with a markup of up to 35% (up to 230 tenge/kg).
Potatoes: in February, a batch of over 30 tons was purchased in the Abai region at 150 tenge/kg. In March, these potatoes were sold in Ust-Kamenogorsk at prices ranging from 250 to 280 tenge/kg. The actual markup ranged from 70% to 86%.
Cabbage: with a purchase from agricultural producers at 130 tenge/kg, sales were conducted at prices of 200–220 tenge/kg. The markup varied from 53% to 69%.

These vegetables were subsequently sold to the public in "convenience" stores with an additional trade markup.

Materials on these facts have already been reviewed at a meeting of the Regional Commission. Currently, materials are being prepared to register an unscheduled inspection regarding the individual entrepreneur. If violations are confirmed, the entrepreneur will be held administratively liable, and an order to reduce the price of vegetables will also be issued.

The Department of Trade for the East Kazakhstan Region reminds: according to legislation, the maximum trade markup on socially important food products (SIFP) must not exceed 15%.

The regional commission of the West Kazakhstan Region visited the wholesale and retail market "Altyn Alma", to assess the situation with prices for socially significant food products on-site. The focus was on the meat and vegetable pavilions, where the final cost of products for the population is formed.

The work was conducted in a live format, with direct dialogue with tenants. Entrepreneurs were explained the requirements of the legislation, including compliance with the 15 percent trade markup, the presence of written price tags, as well as sanitary and tax regulations.

The visit allowed for immediate impact on the situation. The commission identified unnecessary links in the supply chain; two intermediaries for potatoes were eliminated. Simultaneously, direct supplies of products from the stabilization fund of the AQJAIYQ Agricultural Production Cooperative to the market were established.

If previously potatoes were sold at a price from 230 to 250 tenge per kilogram depending on the variety and quality, then the products from the stabilization fund went on sale at 165 tenge with a supply price of 145 tenge.

Currently, the AQJAIYQ Agricultural Production Cooperative supplies up to 5 tons of products to the market. The goods are in high demand among buyers. Supplies of vegetable products are planned to continue until the end of the first decade of May.
Such visits will be conducted on a regular basis. This format shows real effect and allows for quick decision-making.

Since the beginning of 2026, 11 meetings of the Regional Commission have been held in the West Kazakhstan Region. 47 cases of exceeding the trade markup on socially significant food products have been identified. Administrative measures have been taken for all violations.

The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in line with the Prime Minister's instructions, has intensified efforts to reduce unproductive intermediation in the country's markets. The focus is on building transparent supply chains and eliminating factors contributing to unjustified price increases.

On April 16, the Chairman of the Trade Committee of the MTI RK, Yernur Zhautikbayev, held an on-site cluster meeting in the city of Turkestan with the participation of market owners and administrations of trade facilities from the Turkestan, Kyzylorda, Zhambyl regions, and the city of Shymkent.

As part of improving the Rules of Internal Trade at the legislative level, a distinction has been made between retail sellers and wholesale suppliers. This has streamlined the composition of participants in the procurement process and limited the involvement of unproductive intermediaries — entities that do not create added value in the supply chain but affect the final price for the consumer.

The Chairman of the Committee drew special attention of market owners to the need for strict compliance with legal requirements. A key element is the mandatory conduct of activities using information systems, which must record all contracts with sellers, rental payments, and trading conditions. It is precisely the lack of transparent digital accounting that creates preconditions for distorting real turnovers, informal settlements, and the emergence of unproductive intermediaries. In this regard, control measures are primarily focused on entities ignoring work in information systems.

According to Yernur Zhautikbayev, comprehensive work has already begun in markets across the country, primarily in the wholesale segment. The work involves state revenue authorities, internal affairs bodies, the antimonopoly authority, and local executive bodies, with coordination by the MTI. The application of tax administration tools is being strengthened, including the timing of trading activities, which allows for an objective comparison of actual turnovers with declared ones and the identification of signs of shadow turnover.

Following control measures, territorial departments of trade and consumer rights protection issue orders to eliminate violations. Regarding non-compliance with requirements for mandatory use of information systems, administrative liability in the form of fines is provided, as well as the application of stricter response measures as established by law, up to consideration of the issue in court.

"The market is not a territory for opaque schemes. Every participant must operate within the legal framework. Any trading activity must be transparent and digitalized. Working outside of information systems is a direct risk zone for the shadow economy and price distortions. If market participants are not ready to work according to established rules, the state will consistently apply the entire range of response tools provided for by legislation," emphasized Yernur Zhautikbayev.

In each region, regional commissions chaired by deputy akims (governors) of the regions are functioning, responsible for analyzing supply chains. At their platforms, specific supply schemes are considered, unproductive intermediaries are identified, and decisions are made to exclude them. At the same time, it was noted that in a number of regions, the work of the commissions is formal and does not yield the desired effect.

Since the beginning of the year, approximately 316 meetings of regional commissions have been held across the country, resulting in the exclusion of 73 intermediary links from trade chains. The Trade Committee instructed the akimats (local administrations) to ensure the practical effectiveness of this work and strengthen control over the formation of transparent and efficient supply chains.
The implementation of these measures is aimed at reducing the share of the shadow economy, forming a fair competitive environment, and ensuring fair prices for the population.

Concluding his working visit to the Turkestan region, Yernur Zhautikbayev visited the stabilization fund, social stores, and a number of markets in the region. Similar on-site cluster meetings will be conducted systematically across the country's regions, covering specific territorial groups for targeted consideration of trade infrastructure and pricing issues.

An event was held at the site of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken" in the Ulytau region as part of the implementation of the state initiative to promote the "Law and Order" narrative. Its main goal was to strengthen the legal protection of business entities, prevent offenses, reduce the level of the shadow economy, and eliminate administrative barriers in doing business.

The expanded meeting was attended by representatives of state and law enforcement agencies, including the Department of State Revenues for the Ulytau Region and the Department of Trade and Consumer Rights Protection, a member of the Council of the Regional Chamber of Entrepreneurs, the Chairman of the Bar Association and the Human Rights Commissioner for the Ulytau Region, as well as local entrepreneurs.

During the meeting, legal explanations were provided to entrepreneurs on issues of interest to them: protection of the rights of business entities, regulation of pricing for meat products, organization of school meals, and law enforcement practice in the field of entrepreneurship.

A number of issues requiring interdepartmental coordination have been taken for further elaboration and will be considered at the next dialogue platforms with the participation of relevant state and local executive bodies.