New Agreements Worth $92.8 Million: What Awaits Kazakhstan and Iran in the Agricultural Sector?

As part of the working visit of Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Agriculture, Yermek Kenzhekhanuly, and Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, a business forum was held in Tehran, bringing together more than 50 Kazakhstani entrepreneurs and 230 Iranian companies. The forum focused on the development of trade and economic cooperation, particularly in the agricultural and logistics sectors.

Growth in Trade and New Agreements
Over the past 12 months of 2024, the trade turnover of agricultural products between Kazakhstan and Iran reached $220.1 million, marking a 33.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. During the trade and economic mission, Kazakhstan signed 10 commercial agreements worth $92.8 million. Additionally, Kazakhstan expressed its readiness to supply 75 types of products to the Iranian market, amounting to $250 million.
Vice Minister Yermek Kenzhekhanuly emphasized that Iran is a strategic partner of Kazakhstan in the agricultural sector. He highlighted Kazakhstan’s interest in expanding exports of grain, meat products, vegetable oils, and confectionery to Iran, establishing joint ventures, and increasing the transit of agricultural products through Iran to the Persian Gulf countries.

Key Agreements and Cooperation Prospects
During a meeting with Iran’s Minister of Agricultural Jihad, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, discussions were held on increasing agricultural exports, harmonizing veterinary and phytosanitary standards, and expanding transit routes for Kazakhstani goods through Iran. Several important agreements were reached:
• Kazakhstan will explore the supply of legumes, barley, 500,000 tons of sunflower oil and meal, lamb, and live livestock to Iran.
• Iran, in turn, will expedite the approval of veterinary certificates for the export of cattle, sheep, horse hides, and will increase the supply of Iranian agricultural products.
• Joint projects on sturgeon and salmon farming, fish feed production, and the introduction of water-saving technologies in agriculture were discussed.
• The potential for using Iran’s transit capacity to export Kazakhstani flour through the port of Bandar Abbas was reviewed.
Additionally, a cooperation agreement was signed between Kazakhstan’s "Food Corporation" National Company and Iran’s Fawakeh Trading Company.

Logistics Development and Export Potential
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliyev, emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Discussions focused on establishing transitional tariffs, cargo declarations, implementing unified IT solutions, and efficiently utilizing Iranian ports to access the Persian Gulf markets.
The CEO of the "QazTrade" Center for Trade Policy Development, Aitmukhamed Aldazharov, proposed opening a "QazTrade" representative office in Tehran. This initiative is expected to help Kazakhstani entrepreneurs quickly find new partners and promote their products in the Iranian market.

Investment Initiatives
As part of the visit, the Vice Minister visited Solico Group, where discussions were held on joint investment projects, including the construction of factories for producing French fries, baby food, and cheese in Kazakhstan.
Following the meetings, agreements were reached to expand bilateral cooperation, increase the volume of agricultural product supplies, and strengthen investment collaboration. Further work will continue within the framework of the Intergovernmental Commission and the Working Group on Agriculture.

Key Takeaways:
✅ Record growth in agricultural trade – a 33.2% increase, reaching $220.1 million.
✅ Major export contracts – 10 agreements worth $92.8 million signed, with Kazakhstan prepared to supply 75 types of products worth $250 million.
✅ Expansion of logistics and investment – new export routes through Iran and joint projects in the agricultural and food production sectors are being discussed.