Kazakhstan and Tajikistan Discuss Increasing Wheat Supplies and Developing Cooperation in the Agro-Industrial Sector

Kazakhstan and Tajikistan are exploring opportunities to expand bilateral trade in agricultural products, increase exports of grain and processed products, and implement joint projects in the agro-industrial sector. These issues were the main topics of a meeting between Kazakhstan's Minister of Agriculture, Aidarbek Saparov, and Tajikistan's Minister of Agriculture, Qurbon Hakimzoda. The talks took place during the official visit of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to Kazakhstan.

Tajikistan remains one of Kazakhstan's important and promising trading partners in Central Asia.

At the end of 2025, the volume of mutual agricultural product shipments increased by 11%, reaching approximately $600 million. The agricultural sector accounted for about half of the total trade turnover between the two countries.

To further develop trade and economic cooperation, the parties considered prospects for establishing joint production chains focused on processing agricultural raw materials.

One of the priority areas of the negotiations was expanding exports of Kazakh grain to the Tajik market.

In particular, the parties discussed further cooperation under a contract between Food Corporation National Company JSC and Tajikistan's Agency for State Material Reserves, which provides for the supply of 100,000 tonnes of wheat. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to intensify efforts to increase shipment volumes, taking into account Tajikistan's market needs.

Expanding grain exports will enable Kazakhstan to strengthen the position of domestic agricultural producers, maintain stable demand for grain, and increase the presence of Kazakh agricultural products in Central Asian markets.

Another area of discussion was the diversification of export shipments. Representatives of the two countries expressed interest in developing mutual trade in processed agricultural products and finished food products.

The main focus is on gradually increasing the share of higher-value-added products rather than predominantly exporting agricultural raw materials. This approach creates additional opportunities for Kazakhstan's processing enterprises and contributes to the development of domestic production.

Further cooperation is planned in accordance with the Cooperation Roadmap for 2027–2028. The document provides for intensified efforts to expand mutual agricultural product shipments and develop crop production, seed production, and breeding.

In addition, priority areas include improving livestock productivity, enhancing the veterinary system, and strengthening phytosanitary safety.

The practical part of the visit continued with a tour of Rodina Agrofirm LLP, one of Kazakhstan's leading agro-industrial enterprises. The farm represents an example of an integrated agribusiness model combining crop production, industrial livestock farming, agricultural processing, and developed social infrastructure.

The Tajik delegation was shown the main stages of the agrofirm's production operations. The guests learned about crop cultivation, the development of the enterprise's own feed supply, livestock production, and the subsequent processing of livestock products.

Integrating these activities into a unified production system enables the enterprise to maintain quality control at every stage, allocate resources efficiently, and improve the effectiveness of its operations.

The Tajik representatives were particularly interested in the dairy complex, which is equipped with the largest robotic milking rotary system in Central Asia, manufactured by the Swedish company DeLaval.

The complex was commissioned in January 2025 and became one of the examples of technological modernization in Kazakhstan's dairy farming sector.

The robotic system is designed to accommodate 80 head of cattle simultaneously. The equipment can serve up to 2,000 cows in five hours.

The high level of automation in production processes makes it possible to increase productivity and use labor resources more efficiently. Only 12 specialists are required to operate the complex during a single shift.

The application of such technologies contributes to the introduction of modern approaches to industrial livestock farming, increased commercial milk production, improved enterprise efficiency, and greater competitiveness of Kazakh products.

During the visit to the agrofirm, the delegation was also introduced to its social infrastructure facilities. Tajikistan's Minister of Agriculture, Qurbon Hakimzoda, learned about the conditions created for the enterprise's employees and village residents.

The visit to Rodina Agrofirm LLP allowed the Tajik representatives to become familiar with the organization of modern agricultural production, assess the technological capabilities of Kazakhstan's agro-industrial sector, and study practical experience in applying advanced solutions in crop production and livestock farming.