The paper addresses one of the most important elements of the government’s social functions, namely, food policies in the context of agricultural import substitution. The authors analyse the state of food security in modern Kazakhstan. National interests in the food sector are analysed, as well as the main threats and risks in ensuring food security. Having analysed the state of food security in modern Kazakhstan, the authors draw a conclusion regarding a number of issues existing today in the analysed sphere, which call for solutions.