Strategies for developing the export of Kazakh grain and overcoming logistical barriers in the Chinese market

The article is devoted to the study of managerial and marketing strategies aimed at improving the efficiency of Kazakhstan’s grain exports to China. The analysis of the current state revealed supply dynamics, key routes, and system weaknesses, including logistical and institutional barriers such as infrastructure limitations, phytosanitary inconsistencies, low digitalization, and restricted access to facilities. The study of the experience of Russia, Canada, and Australia demonstrated the importance of subsidies, digital monitoring, and sectoral branding. Marketing communications, electronic platforms, and the “Kazakh Grain” brand were also examined. A model of synergy between logistics and marketing with an implementation roadmap was presented to optimize supply chains and strengthen market positions.

The purpose of the study is to systematize and evaluate managerial practices for overcoming logistical constraints in grain trade between Kazakhstan and China, as well as to identify directions for improving state and corporate policies.

The research methodology is based on a systematic approach that combines theoretical and empirical methods. The study applied analysis of scientific publications, regulatory acts, strategic documents, and the experience of leading grain-exporting countries, as well as content analysis of statistics and industry reports. The empirical base included analysis of export statistics, expert interviews, and a SWOT analysis to identify key factors and barriers to the development of grain exports to China.

The originality/value of the study lies in the comprehensive consideration of logistical problems and managerial solutions in the grain export system, which made it possible to integrate institutional and corporate levels of analysis, taking into account the specifics of Kazakhstan–China trade. This approach not only reveals barriers but also formulates practical recommendations for overcoming them, thereby enhancing the applied significance of the results for state policy and corporate strategies.

Research results. The findings showed that the integration of logistical and marketing strategies is the key to strengthening the position of Kazakhstan’s grain in China. The developed model with a roadmap allows reducing costs, accelerating deliveries, and improving the activities of “Kazakh Grain,” while also increasing competitiveness through infrastructure modernization, digitalization of procedures, and active use of trade platforms. 

1. Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Statistical data on grain exports. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/moa (accessed: 05.01.2025).

2. Berdenov, A.B. Logistic barriers in international trade of Kazakhstan. Economy and Law of Kazakhstan, 2023, №2(87), pp. 45–52.

3. Saparov, B.E. Supply chain management in the agro-industrial complex: challenges and solutions. Agroeconomics, 2022, №4, pp. 12–20.

4. Customs China. Agricultural Import Regulations 2023. [Electronic resource] URL: http://english.customs.gov.cn/ (accessed: 09.01.2025).

5. Kainazarov, R.K. Logistics problems in grain exports from Kazakhstan. Logistics Today, 2023, №1, pp. 17–23.

6. Shapiro R. Export Supply Chain Optimization. Springer, 2022.

7. FAO. Grain market review 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.fao.org (accessed: 15.01.2025).

8. UNCTAD. Trade and Development Report 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://unctad.org (accessed: 19.01.2025).

9. China Grain Reserves Corporation. Annual Report 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.sinograin.com.cn (accessed: 23.01.2025).

10. World Bank. Logistics Performance Index 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://lpi.worldbank.org (accessed: 28.01.2025).

11. Kazakhstan Statistics Committee. Foreign trade database. URL: https://stat.gov.kz (accessed: 02.02.2025).

12. WTO. World Trade Statistical Review 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.wto.org (accessed: 05.02.2025).

13. Atamkulov E. Prospects for grain export to China. Agrobusiness, 2024, №3, pp. 18–24.

14. UN ESCAP. Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Report 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.unescap.org (accessed: 11.02.2025).

15. China Customs Statistics. Monthly Trade Bulletin. [Electronic resource] URL: http://english.customs.gov.cn (accessed: 15.02.2025).

16. OECD. Agricultural Policy Monitoring 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.oecd.org (accessed: 19.02.2025).

17. Kuzembayev, S.N. Marketing strategies in agribusiness. Economy and Statistics, 2023, №5, pp. 33–39.

18. GrainCorp. Global Grain Market Trends. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.graincorp.com.au (accessed: 23.02.2025).

19. International Grains Council. Grain Market Report 2024. URL: https://www.igc.int (accessed: 01.03.2025).

20. USDA. Grain: World Markets and Trade. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.fas.usda.gov (accessed: 04.03.2025).

21. Ministry of Trade of Kazakhstan. Export Strategy 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.gov.kz (accessed: 07.03.2025).

22. China Food Industry Association. Market Trends Report 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.cfaa.cn (accessed: 10.03.2025).

23. UN FAO. Trade Policy Review. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.fao.org (accessed: 14.03.2025).

24. Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan. Transport Strategy 2030. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.gov.kz (accessed: 18.03.2025).

25. Bloomberg. Global Commodities Outlook 2025. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.bloomberg.com (accessed: 22.03.2025).

26. Rabobank. Agri Commodity Markets Outlook 2025. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.rabobank.com (accessed: 01.04.2025).

27. China Railway Express. Transport Data 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.chinarailway.com.cn (accessed: 04.04.2025).

28. Kazakhstan Grain Union. Annual Report 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.grainunion.kz (accessed: 07.04.2025).

29. UNCTADstat. Trade Database. [Electronic resource] URL: https://unctadstat.unctad.org (accessed: 10.04.2025).

30. Russian Export Center. Grain Export Report. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.exportcenter.ru (accessed: 14.04.2025).

31. Canadian Grain Commission. Grain Export Quality Report 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.grainscanada.gc.ca (accessed: 18.04.2025).

32. Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre. Market Access Report. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.aegic.org.au (accessed: 22.04.2025).

33. Ministry of Agriculture of China. Grain Production and Trade. [Electronic resource] URL: http://english.moa.gov.cn (accessed: 02.05.2025).

34. JSC "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy". Logistics Statistics 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.railways.kz (accessed: 06.05.2025).

35. Kazakhstan Investment Promotion Agency. Agribusiness Opportunities. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.invest.gov.kz (accessed: 10.05.2025).

36. China Grain Net. Market News. [Electronic resource] URL: http://en.grain.gov.cn (accessed: 14.05.2025).

37. FAOStat. Crop Data. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.fao.org/faostat (accessed: 18.05.2025).

38. World Bank. Doing Business in Kazakhstan. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.worldbank.org (accessed: 22.05.2025).

39. OECD. Trade Facilitation Indicators 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.oecd.org (accessed: 26.05.2025).

40. China State Council. Belt and Road Initiative Progress Report. [Electronic resource] URL: http://english.www.gov.cn (accessed: 01.06.2025).

41. Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan. Customs Statistics. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.gov.kz (accessed: 04.06.2025).

42. UN ESCAP. Digital Trade Facilitation Report 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.unescap. org (accessed: 07.06.2025).

43. WTO. Trade in Agriculture 2024. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.wto.org (accessed: 10.06.2025).

44. Kazakhstan Railways. Transport and Logistics Strategy. [Electronic resource] URL: https://railways.kz (accessed: 13.06.2025).

45. Ministry of Trade of Canada. Grain Export Best Practices. [Electronic resource] URL: https://ised-isde. canada.ca (accessed: 15.06.2025).

46. National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan "Atameken". Grain Market Analytics. [Electronic resource] URL: https://atameken.kz (accessed: 17.06.2025).

47. UN Comtrade. International Grain Trade Data. [Electronic resource] URL: https://comtradeplus.un.org (accessed: 19.06.2025).

48. JD.com. Official B2B Portal. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.jd.com (accessed: 21.06.2025).

49. Alibaba Group. International Trade Platform. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.alibaba.com (accessed: 23.06.2025).

50. OECD. Supply Chain Performance Measurement. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.oecd.org (accessed: 24.06.2025).

51. WTO. Trade Facilitation and Logistics Performance. [Electronic resource] URL: https://www.wto.org (accessed: 25.06.2025).