On May 22, 2026, delegates from 183 member countries of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) unanimously granted Kazakhstan the status of a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone with vaccination. The official certificate was presented at the 93rd WOAH General Session in Paris. Kazakhstan became the only country in Central and East Asia to hold this status. The status has expanded export opportunities.
China opened its market for slaughter cattle, bovine hides, and poultry meat. Azerbaijan allowed imports of camels, beef and mutton, poultry meat, dairy products, honey, and fish. Mongolia opened its market for live small ruminants. Iraq approved supplies of slaughter cattle and small ruminants.
Georgia permitted imports of slaughter cattle and both slaughter and breeding small ruminants. Iran opened its market for hooved animal hides and wool. European Union countries opened their markets for Kazakh honey. In 2025, Kazakhstan carried out work to restore and gain international recognition of its disease-free status for foot-and-mouth disease in southeastern regions, highly pathogenic avian influenza, African swine fever, classical swine fever, and African horse sickness.
The entire country is now covered by zones that are free from foot-and-mouth disease with vaccination.