Kazakhstan has recorded a record volume of aviation fuel production in the last 13 years. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

According to the Bureau of National Statistics, in May 2026, domestic enterprises produced 96,400 tonnes of kerosene, including jet fuel for aviation. This is 86% more than in April and 49% higher than in May last year.

The May result was the highest since at least the beginning of 2013. Moreover, it exceeded the previous record set in August 2024 by 28%.

Detailed statistics by region are not yet available. However, the increase in production could be linked to the completion of major repairs at the Shymkent oil refinery.

In April, the plant operated at less than full capacity, which affected fuel output. After repairs were completed and normal operations resumed in late April–early May, production likely recovered quickly, impacting national figures.

May was not the only record month. In January–May 2026, Kazakhstan produced 344,900 tonnes of aviation kerosene.

In the first five months of the year, volumes rose by 7% compared to the same period in 2025, reaching the highest level in at least 13 years.

Although the January–May growth was more moderate than the May spike, the figure still updated the multi-year maximum.

Despite record production, Kazakhstan cannot yet fully supply itself with aviation fuel.

According to data for January–April, 121,500 tonnes of aviation fuel were imported into the country. The share of imported products in total market resources reached 32%.

Every third liter of aviation fuel on the Kazakh market still comes from imports.

At the same time, total market resources grew by 8% year-on-year. Import growth was even more noticeable — almost a third compared to the same period last year.

Russia remains Kazakhstan's traditional main supplier of aviation fuel.

Since June, Russian authorities have banned the export of aviation kerosene, but Kazakhstan was included in the list of exceptions. The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan confirmed that Russian aviation fuel supplies will continue as usual.

Thus, despite record domestic production, the market remains dependent on imports. However, May figures show that domestic refineries are gradually increasing fuel output for the country's growing aviation sector.

Earlier, Kursiv reported that Kazakhstan has started practical preparations for the construction of the country's fourth oil refinery, capable of processing up to 10 million tonnes of oil per year. The plant is planned to be built by 2040.

The new refinery is expected to be almost twice as powerful as the Atyrau and Pavlodar refineries and significantly larger than the current leader, the Shymkent refinery. Kazakhstan may spend as much on the fourth refinery as on a nuclear power plant — about $15 billion.