Kazakhstan’s critical raw materials market is witnessing significant shifts in export dynamics, particularly with China emerging as the dominant buyer. According to the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan, in 2025, China accounted for a staggering 56% of the country’s critical raw material exports, valued at approximately $5.0 billion, predominantly in copper. In contrast, the European Union (EU) and Russia purchased 8% and 6% of these exports, respectively, highlighting a growing reliance on Chinese demand.
The EU remains a crucial market for other materials, being the primary buyer of aluminium, titanium metal, phosphorus, coking coal, and silicon metal. Meanwhile, Russia has taken the lead in purchasing alumina, phosphate rock, and boron. Interestingly, Türkiye has emerged as a significant player in the market, becoming the second-largest buyer with imports worth $1.8 billion, primarily consisting of copper and aluminium, surpassing the combined purchases of the EU and Russia.
Preliminary data for the first half of 2026 indicates further changes in the export landscape. Türkiye has overtaken the EU as the leading buyer of aluminium, capturing 37% of the market compared to the EU’s 31%. Additionally, Russia has become the main buyer of coking coal, commanding 59% of the market share. Notably, tungsten exports have seen a remarkable increase, soaring from $32 million to $226 million, while the EU’s overall share of Kazakhstan’s critical raw materials has dropped from 9% to under 5%.
Several new projects are on the horizon that could reshape Kazakhstan’s critical raw materials sector. In China, Jiaxin’s Boguty tungsten mine commenced commercial production in April 2025. In the United States, Cove Kaz Capital and Kazakhstan’s Tau-Ken Samruk are collaborating to develop two tungsten deposits, with an interest of up to $1.6 billion in financing from the US government. Furthermore, the EU has identified Sarytogan’s graphite project as a strategic initiative, while Germany’s HMS Bergbau plans to establish a lithium mine and processing plant in East Kazakhstan by 2029.
These developments indicate a rapidly evolving landscape for Kazakhstan’s critical raw materials, with shifting buyer dynamics and significant investment projects that could bolster the country’s position in the global market.
