Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan May Move Toward Strategic Partnership in the Grain Market

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan need to develop cooperation in the grain sector by moving from conventional trade toward a strategic partnership and the formation of a unified food supply chain. This was stated by Zeynolla Abdumanapov, Chairman of the Board of the KazGrain National Association of Exporters, at the VI International Asia Grains&Oils Conference in Tashkent 2026.

According to him, Kazakhstan has advantages in terms of its raw material base, while Uzbekistan represents a large consumer market with developed processing capacities, a significant population and growing demand. Combining these opportunities could provide a foundation for further cooperation between the two countries.

Among the promising areas for joint cooperation, the head of KazGrain highlighted the establishment of grain elevators, flour mills and feed mills, the development of oilseed processing, as well as the construction of logistics centers and warehouse terminals.

Zeynolla Abdumanapov emphasized the importance of Central Asia for the further development of Kazakhstan's grain exports. According to him, the region could remain one of Kazakhstan's key export destinations for the next 10–20 years.

From September 2025 through July 2026, Kazakhstan exported 13.9 million tonnes of grain and flour. Shipments to Uzbekistan increased by 35% and reached 5.8 million tonnes.

Significant growth was also recorded in other destinations. Exports to Afghanistan increased by 57% to 2.4 million tonnes, while shipments to Kyrgyzstan rose by 35% to 528 thousand tonnes. Supplies to Turkmenistan increased by 32% and amounted to 220 thousand tonnes.

The head of the association also identified Kazakhstan's geographical location as another advantage. Kazakhstan is situated between major consumer markets, including China, the countries of Central Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, the Caspian region, the Caucasus, Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

At the same time, the country is located between major grain-producing regions — Russia, Kazakhstan and the Black Sea region. According to Zeynolla Abdumanapov, this geographical position creates opportunities to strengthen Kazakhstan's role in trade and logistics between East and West.

The head of KazGrain also proposed viewing Central Asia, China and Afghanistan not as separate trade destinations, but as a single Eurasian agri-food belt.