Kazakhstan has proposed a temporary ban on apple imports. The corresponding draft order of the Ministry of Agriculture was submitted for public discussion on the Open NPA portal. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to the document, the ban is planned to be introduced from August 1 to December 31, 2026. Restrictions will apply to the import of apples by road, rail, and water transport from both Eurasian Economic Union countries and third states.
However, the ban will not apply to transit transportation through Kazakhstan, nor to apple supplies between EAEU countries via the republic.
According to the authors of the project, the measure is aimed at supporting domestic producers and ensuring stable sales of Kazakhstani products. The Ministry of Agriculture believes that the ban will not entail negative socio-economic or legal consequences.
Currently, the draft order is at the stage of public discussion. It will last until July 8. If the document is adopted, restrictions will come into effect on August 1.
Similar measures were taken in 2024. At that time, the decision did not apply to apple imports from EAEU member countries.
Earlier, Kursiv found out from the Ministry of Trade what caused high apple prices. The department explained that the cost traditionally rises in spring when domestic harvest stocks run out, and more expensive imported apples, including from China, enter the market.