China bans Russian grain in Kazakhstan’s feed meal: new export and supply control rules

In 2025, Chinese regulators began to tighten control over the origin of agricultural raw materials supplied to China through third countries. One of the most discussed issues was the restriction on the use of Russian grain in the production of feed flour and feed in Kazakhstan for further export to China.

We are talking about a scheme in which Russian grain was imported to Kazakhstani processing enterprises, processed into feed products, and then sent to Chinese customers as a product of Kazakh origin. Now the Chinese side demands full confirmation of the origin of the raw materials and effectively blocks the use of Russian grain in such a supply chain.

Why China Is Increasing Control

Combating re-exports

China actively controls the supply channels of agricultural products from the EAEU countries. Basic cause - The desire to exclude hidden re-exports of products that are not officially agreed for certain types of supplies.

Chinese phytosanitary services require:

• confirmation of the origin of grain;
• certificates of processing;
• traceability of the entire logistics chain;
• data on elevators and processing enterprises.

If it turns out that raw materials of Russian origin were used in the production of Kazakhstani products, the supply may be stopped.

Which products are subject to restrictions

Particular attention is paid to:

• feed meal;
• feed;
• meal;
• feed mixtures;
• products of deep processing of grain;
• Some types of semi-finished grains.

Particularly strict control concerns products that are supplied by rail through the land crossings Kazakhstan - China.

Why Russian grain raises questions for China

Phytosanitary requirements

China traditionally has very strict requirements for agricultural products. To allow products to enter the PRC market, you need:

• accreditation of the exporter;
• registration of enterprises;
• agreed protocols between states;
• absence of quarantine facilities;
• Laboratory confirmation of safety.

Even if the grain itself complies with the regulations, China may restrict supplies due to the lack of an approved processing scheme.

Import regulation policies

China is trying to:

• Diversify suppliers;
• control the volume of imports;
• protect the domestic market;
• Avoid opaque trading patterns.

That is why Beijing is increasingly demanding full transparency of the origin of agricultural raw materials.

How this affects Kazakhstan

Hitting the recyclers

For a number of Kazakh enterprises, Russian grain was an important raw material due to:

• lower price;
• proximity of supply;
• stable volumes;
• advanced logistics.

After tightening Chinese controls, many processors faced risks:

• refusal to accept goods;
• delays at the border;
• the need to change suppliers;
• increasing the cost of production.

Increased burden on document management

Now Kazakh companies have to:

• separately confirm the origin of the grain;
• provide additional certificates;
• undergo enhanced inspections;
• implement traceability systems.

This increases the cost and time of preparation of export lots.

Consequences for Russia

Reducing transit opportunities

Russian exporters actively used Kazakhstan as:

• logistics hub;
• processing site;
• channel of entry into the Chinese market.

New restrictions complicate such schemes.

Export reorientation

Against the background of restrictions, Russian suppliers have to:

• seek direct supply channels to China;
• develop maritime exports;
• increase supplies through the Far East;
• Invest in certification and accreditation.

Of particular importance are:

• Zabaikalsk;
• Manchuria;
• Xinjiang dry ports;
• Far Eastern ports.

How China Tests the Origin of Products

Basic controls

Chinese authorities use:

• phytosanitary certificates;
• electronic databases;
• inspection of enterprises;
• audit of elevators;
• laboratory tests;
• control of railway routes.

In some cases, the Chinese side requests a complete history of the origin of the batch of grain up to the farm-producer.

Whether circumvention schemes are possible

Against the background of restrictions, the market is discussing various options for circumventing control, but the risks become too high.

China is gradually digitizing supply control and actively exchanging information with Kazakh authorities. Therefore, attempts to hide the origin of raw materials can lead to:

• blocking supplies;
• making companies blacklisted;
• export ban;
• financial loss.

What happens next?

Possible increased control

Experts expect:

• further tightening of phytosanitary requirements;
• Expansion of the traceability system;
• strengthening of processing control;
• Increased requirements for exporters.

At the same time, China’s demand for grain and feed continues to grow, so the market will not disappear. - It will become more regulated and transparent.

Prospects for market participants

For Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan will have to:

• develop their own raw material base;
• Strengthen internal control;
• modernize recycling;
• Adapt to Chinese requirements.

For Russia.

Russian exporters are interested in:

• receive direct Chinese accreditation;
• Develop official export channels;
• invest in deep processing;
• Strengthen logistics in the east.

The history of restricting the use of Russian grain in Kazakhstan shows how serious China is about controlling agricultural imports. For market participants, the era of gray schemes is gradually ending. The winners will be companies that will be able to ensure transparency of supplies, compliance with the requirements of the PRC and full traceability of products.

For Russia and Kazakhstan, this is both a challenge and an opportunity to rebuild the export model to meet the new realities of the Asian market.