On June 5, the Fifth Anniversary International Fats and Oils Conference «FOC 2026: Fats and Oils Conference» will be held in Astana.
The event is organized by the National Association of Oilseed Processors (NAOP) with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and JSC "QazTrade" Center for Trade Policy Development.
The event will be attended by over 330 delegates. These include heads of more than 50 domestic oilseed processing plants, representatives of relevant ministries, financial institutions, agro-holdings, importers of fats and oils products, suppliers of equipment for storage and processing of oilseeds, logistics companies, and analytical agencies. Among them are the International Trade Centre, FAO, UN, EBRD, Wilmar, Bunge, Kourosh Food Industry, LAF Technology, Syon Technology, Huatai, Chinese Cereals and Oils Association, China Vegetable Oil Industry Association, and others. The participant geography includes: the USA, China, European countries, Baltic states, Central Asia, the Middle East, and other countries interested in cooperation with Kazakhstan in the agro-industrial sector (representatives from 18 countries have confirmed participation).
Over 5 years, the forum has become an important dialogue and business platform for participants in the fats and oils market. The event discusses systemic challenges, market trends, planned developments in agriculture and trade, and hosts B2B negotiations.
Venue: Hilton Astana Hotel, 14 Heydar Aliyev Street.
Participant Registration Time: from 08:45 to 10:00.
Event Opening – 10:00.
Media Accreditation Coordinator: +7 701 749 0200 (Assel).
Key Points:
Thanks to government support aimed at developing the agro-industrial complex, the production and export of fats and oils products in Kazakhstan reached a historic high by the end of 2025: production volume exceeded 1.57 million tons, and export revenue amounted to $963 million USD, which is 4 times higher than the 2021 figure ($240 million).
The fats and oils sector has become one of the main drivers of economic growth and non-commodity exports in Kazakhstan. By the end of 2025, the industry provided 27% of the country's export revenue from processed agricultural products.
Sunflower oil production in 2025 increased 2.3 times compared to 2021 and surpassed the mark of 752 thousand tons. The average share of sunflower oil imports over the last four years (2022-2025) decreased by half and currently does not exceed 18% of total production. For comparison, from 2015 to 2021, the average share of sunflower oil imports was at 39%.
The growth of the industry stimulates the diversification of cultivated areas and further development of processing. Active demand from oilseed processing plants and high profitability of oilseed production contribute to the expansion of cultivation areas in the country's regions. Alongside this, the production capacities of enterprises are increasing, and projects for deep processing products are being implemented. This helps strengthen food security, stabilize prices in the domestic market, develop related industries — poultry farming, livestock farming, feed and food industries — and strengthen Kazakhstan's position in the global market as a reliable supplier of high-quality processed products.
Thanks to increased oil production and the sale of surplus for export at higher world prices, the fats and oils industry has managed to ensure the stability of wholesale sunflower oil prices in the domestic market for over three years. This measure is key to curbing inflation and reducing the share of imports. For example, according to FAO data, from May 2023 to December 31, 2025, the global vegetable oil price index rose by 39%, and sunflower oil on European exchanges became 47% more expensive. Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan during the same period, the wholesale price of sunflower oil for the domestic market from processing plants, according to the memorandum between NAOP, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, did not exceed 730 tenge per liter. In February 2026, NAOP signed a new memorandum on stabilizing sunflower oil prices, which is valid until the end of 2026.
Kazakhstani fats and oils products are sold in markets of over 20 countries worldwide. Among the main importers are China, Central Asian countries, and the European Union (Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden), as well as Norway, Afghanistan, and Iran. By the end of 2025, Kazakhstan ranks 6th in the world in sunflower oil exports, and 2nd in the Chinese market. Over the past two years, the country has become the leader in supplying vegetable oils to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan with a share of over 90%. Alongside this, the republic fully supplies Central Asia with sunflower meal and is among the TOP-3 suppliers of this product to the European Union.
To realize export potential, NAOP has developed a Roadmap for the Development of Fats and Oils Exports for 2026–2028 years using the processes, methodology, and technical assistance of the International Trade Centre (ITC) and organizational support from QazTrade within the project "Ready4Trade Central Asia: Path to Prosperity through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor," funded by the European Union. Upon achieving the target indicators of the Roadmap as early as 2028, export revenue could increase by 60% and exceed 1.5 billion US dollars, and Kazakhstan will firmly establish itself among the top four largest global suppliers of sunflower oil (the main goal is to enter the TOP-3).
As part of this initiative, active work is underway to expand sales markets and improve logistics. In 2026, vegetable oil transshipment to a vessel was carried out for the first time at the port of Aktau. With the support of JSC "NC "KTZ", trial shipments of granulated sunflower meal in grain wagons via the Dostyk–Alashankou border crossing in the direction of China have begun. Furthermore, in the autumn of 2025, for the first time in the country's history, sunflower oil was shipped in 40-foot containers with flexitanks from the East Kazakhstan Region to China's Jiangsu Province. The cargo covered 4700 kilometers in 12 days, confirming the high speed of container transportation.
An international forum titled "Innovation, Trust, and Sustainability: The Impact of Accreditation" was held in the capital of Kazakhstan, timed to coincide with World Accreditation Day.
The platform brought together representatives of the Eurasian Economic Commission, accreditation bodies of the EAEU countries, as well as delegates from Uzbekistan and China.
The main topics of the forum were the digitalization of conformity assessment processes, the development of international cooperation, and the strengthening of product quality control in the common Eurasian market.
The forum featured a keynote speech by the First Vice-Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aizhan Bizhanova. She emphasized that today, accreditation extends far beyond a technical procedure and is becoming a crucial tool for economic sustainability, international trade, and consumer protection.
"Accreditation has long ceased to be merely a technical tool for conformity assessment. It is an important element of international trade, investment attractiveness, and the economic sustainability of a state. Behind every certificate, test report, and standard lie people's safety, quality of life, and consumer confidence in the products they purchase. Relying on best international practices, we are consistently transitioning to a new model - from simple control to risk management and digital traceability," noted Aizhan Bizhanova.
Today, there are over 1700 accredited entities operating in Kazakhstan, and the national accreditation system continues to demonstrate steady growth.
This year, Kazakhstan also chairs the Council of Heads of Accreditation Bodies of the EAEU states, promoting initiatives to form a unified digital space of trust.
Participants paid special attention to the development of Smart Labs - laboratories with digital integration of equipment. Modern technologies already allow for the automatic transfer of test results, recording of parameters without operator involvement, preserving a digital footprint of all actions, and minimizing the influence of the human factor.
The General Director of the National Accreditation Center, Iskander Khamitov, noted that countries in the region are currently moving towards unified approaches in matters of trust and recognition of conformity assessment results.
"Kazakhstan not only sets ambitious goals for developing the national accreditation system, digitalizing processes, and strengthening international trust but also consistently implements them in practice. We are convinced that only through open interaction and unified approaches to conformity assessment can a sustainable and competitive common market of the EAEU be formed," emphasized Iskander Khamitov.
The forum concluded with an award ceremony for industry specialists whose contributions promote the international recognition of the domestic quality infrastructure and increase trust in Kazakhstani certificates abroad.
In Astana, at the Eurasian Economic Forum, the heads of state of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member countries adopted the Joint Statement on the Responsible Development of Artificial Intelligence within the EAEU.
The initiative to develop the document was announced by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on December 21, 2025. The proposal was supported by all EAEU member states.
The Joint Statement aims to develop practical cooperation among EAEU countries in the field of artificial intelligence, exchange experience, best practices, and technological solutions, as well as interaction in economic sectors where AI is already becoming an important factor in increasing efficiency and competitiveness. The document also provides for the development of economic and technological cooperation, taking into account the national digital sovereignty of the Eurasian "five" countries.
Kazakhstan consistently promotes the digital development agenda, considering artificial intelligence as one of the key drivers of economic growth, productivity enhancement, and the creation of new opportunities for businesses and citizens.
In the context of the nationwide policy of ubiquitous digital technology development and the declared Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, the adoption of the Joint Statement within the EAEU in Astana underscores the relevance of the digital agenda promoted by the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Overall, the document defines the common principles for the responsible use of AI technologies within the EAEU. It is worth noting that the key objectives of the Joint Statement are to ensure the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor, accelerate the digitalization of key economic sectors of the EAEU member states, ensure non-discriminatory and ethical use of AI, and enhance the global competitiveness of the EAEU member states.
Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Abayevich Shakkaliyev held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, who arrived at the head of an official UAE delegation to participate in the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and the Eurasian Economic Forum.
During the negotiations, the parties discussed prospects for the further development of trade, economic, and investment cooperation, as well as the implementation of bilateral agreements and joint initiatives aimed at expanding business ties between Kazakhstan and the UAE.
It was noted that the partnership between the two countries demonstrates stable positive dynamics. Mutual trade indicators are consistently growing, investment interaction is expanding, and the number of joint projects in strategically important sectors of the economy is increasing.
Special attention was paid to the implementation of investment projects in the fields of logistics, trade, agro-industrial complex, financial infrastructure, and modern technologies. It was emphasized that the United Arab Emirates is one of Kazakhstan's key economic partners in the Middle East.
The parties separately noted that by the end of 2025, the UAE entered the top 4 largest international investors in Kazakhstan, with FDI volume amounting to $1.6 billion. A significant portion of Emirati investments is directed towards projects related to the development of transport and logistics infrastructure, trade, urban environment, etc. Meanwhile, trade turnover between the countries showed a year-on-year growth of 5%.
According to the results of January-March 2026, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the UAE amounted to $45.8 million. At the same time, Kazakhstan's exports to the UAE increased by 42.1%.
The Kazakh side presented the investment potential of the Alatau City project, emphasizing its role as one of the promising international centers for economic growth, innovation, and attraction of global business to the region.
Prospects for cooperation in the agro-industrial sector were also considered, including the development of food infrastructure, processing of agricultural products, and the introduction of modern technologies in the field of food security.
The parties paid separate attention to the interaction between JSC "Export Credit Insurance Corporation of Kazakhstan" and UAE financial institutions, including issues of Islamic financing, support for investment projects, and exchange of experience in export, financial, and trade regulation.
The Emirati side, in turn, expressed interest in developing joint initiatives in the fields of microfinance, insurance, and forming investment portfolios. Readiness was noted to expand investment presence in Kazakhstan, including through mechanisms to support small and medium-sized businesses, as well as the introduction of modern financial instruments.
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further deepening the strategic partnership, expanding trade and economic ties, and implementing new joint investment projects between Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates.
On May 26, a meeting dedicated to the implementation of the Goods Delivery Expectation Confirmation System (GDECS) in the Russian Federation was held at the Eurasian Economic Commission. The discussion was initiated by the Kazakh side. The event was attended by representatives of government bodies, businesses, and industry associations of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union. In total, more than 100 representatives from various economic sectors participated in the discussion.
During the meeting, representatives of the Federal Tax Service and the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation provided clarifications on the approaches and procedures for applying the new system, and also answered participants' questions related to practical aspects of delivering goods to the territory of the Russian Federation.
GDECS is a national system for confirming the expectation of goods delivery, being introduced in the Russian Federation for the movement of goods from EAEU member states. The system provides for preliminary registration of the delivery, issuance of a document on the upcoming delivery of goods (DUDG), payment of a security deposit for indirect taxes, and obtaining a QR code confirming the presence of the necessary information in the system.
GDECS was introduced by Federal Law of the Russian Federation No. 101-FZ dated April 17, 2026 "On the National System for Confirming the Expectation of Goods Delivery," as well as accompanying amendments to the tax legislation of the Russian Federation. Starting April 1, 2026, the system is applied in a pilot mode, and from June 1, 2026, a transition to mandatory application is envisaged.
According to information from the Russian side, the implementation of the system is aimed at increasing the transparency of trade turnover, ensuring the full payment of indirect taxes, and enhancing the traceability of goods at all stages of their circulation. At the same time, key control procedures are shifted to the stage before border crossing. During the discussion, business representatives raised questions regarding the system registration procedure, document processing timelines, specifics of applying security deposits, and the potential impact of the new requirements on logistics and delivery times. Relevant clarifications were provided to the participants on the issues raised.
It was separately noted that the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation envisions a phased and maximally soft approach to applying the new requirements. In particular, mobile groups have been established at 30 checkpoints on the Kazakh-Russian route and at 11 sections of the Belarusian-Russian border to support the system's implementation, where consulting and practical support for foreign economic activity participants will be provided.
Given the significant volume of mutual trade between Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, the functioning of GDECS is of great importance for a wide range of market participants. According to the results of 2025, the volume of Kazakhstan's exports to the Russian Federation amounted to approximately 8.1 billion US dollars. A substantial part of the deliveries is carried out by road transport, which is directly subject to the new system.
The meeting participants emphasized the importance of continuing an open dialogue between government bodies and the business community to ensure the timely adaptation of foreign economic activity participants to the new conditions of mutual trade within the EAEU.
On May 25, 2026, in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand, a trade and economic mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan took place, organized as part of the Kazakhstan-Thailand Business Forum. The event was aimed at developing bilateral trade and economic cooperation, expanding the export capabilities of Kazakh enterprises, and establishing direct business contacts with Thai partners.
The trade and economic mission was held within the framework of the visit of a delegation from the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan to participate in the Kazakhstan-Thailand Business Forum and the international exhibition THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026. The visit program included business meetings, participation in the business forum, B2B negotiations, and a visit to the international exhibition.
The Kazakhstan-Thailand Business Forum was attended by representatives of government agencies, the diplomatic corps, the Board of Trade of Thailand, development institutions, industry organizations, as well as business circles of Kazakhstan and Thailand. Participants discussed prospects for expanding mutual trade, developing industrial and agro-industrial cooperation, e-commerce, transport and logistics interaction, as well as issues of distribution and promotion of Kazakh products in the Thai market.
The Kazakh delegation included representatives of government agencies, development institutions, and 20 domestic companies interested in expanding export supplies, finding new partners, developing trade channels, and implementing joint projects with Thai companies.
Holding the trade and economic mission in Bangkok was an important practical step to activate business interaction between Kazakhstan and Thailand. The event created conditions for direct dialogue between entrepreneurs of the two countries, discussing specific supply opportunities, expanding partnership ties, and promoting Kazakh products into Thai trade channels.
During the forum, it was noted that Thailand is one of Kazakhstan's promising trade and economic partners in the Southeast Asia region. Kazakhstan, in turn, is seen as an important transit and logistics hub between Asia, Central Eurasia, and Europe, possessing significant potential for trade and industrial cooperation development.
Bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Thailand shows positive dynamics. According to the results of 2025, trade turnover between the countries amounted to 255.1 million US dollars, an increase of 7.9%. Exports from Kazakhstan to Thailand grew 6.3 times, reaching 38.6 million US dollars.
For January–March 2026, trade turnover amounted to 77.9 million US dollars, which is 69.2% higher than the same period last year. Kazakhstan's exports to Thailand increased 22.1 times, amounting to 27.8 million US dollars. These indicators demonstrate significant potential for further expansion of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
As part of the trade and economic mission, B2B meetings were held between Kazakh and Thai companies. Participants discussed issues of supplying Kazakh products, establishing long-term business ties, developing distribution channels, and implementing joint business initiatives.
One of the results of the forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between JSC "Center for Trade Policy Development 'QazTrade'" and the Board of Trade of Thailand. The document is aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation, exchanging business information, facilitating direct contacts between companies of Kazakhstan and Thailand, and developing joint trade and economic initiatives.
Furthermore, following the event, agreements and memoranda were signed between business representatives for a total amount of 101 million US dollars. The reached agreements provide for the development of export supplies, expansion of business cooperation, and strengthening of practical interaction between companies of the two countries.
The Kazakh side presented the export potential of domestic enterprises. The delegation included companies from the food industry and agro-processing, including producers of flour, pasta, groceries, meat, dairy, confectionery, and functional products, as well as enterprises in the fields of beverages, light industry, designer clothing, perfumery and cosmetics, IT and digital solutions, digital infrastructure, petrochemicals, and household chemicals.
JSC "Center for Trade Policy Development 'QazTrade'" continues to implement measures to promote Kazakh non-commodity exports to foreign markets. Trade and economic missions are one of the tools to support domestic exporters and contribute to establishing direct contacts with foreign buyers, distributors, trade networks, and industry partners.
Holding the trade and economic mission in Bangkok created additional prerequisites for expanding practical cooperation between Kazakhstan and Thailand, strengthening business ties, and promoting Kazakh products to the markets of Southeast Asia.
For reference:
THAIFEX – Anuga Asia is one of the major international exhibition platforms in Asia in the field of food products, beverages, HoReCa, food service, retail, and related industries. The participation of the Kazakh delegation in the events in Bangkok is aimed at expanding the presence of domestic products in the markets of Southeast Asia and developing sustainable business ties with foreign partners.
From June 10 to 12, 2026, the International Exhibition Center "EXPO" in Astana will host the international exhibition Automechanika Astana 2026 – the largest event in Central Asia in the field of automotive components, equipment for service stations, service and logistics solutions, oils, technical fluids, and automotive chemicals.
In 2026, the exhibition celebrates its 10th anniversary and will be held in the largest format in its history. The anniversary edition will unite over 400 companies: manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of automotive components and service equipment from Kazakhstan, Germany, France, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Korea, India, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, the Russian Federation, and a number of other countries.
Automechanika Astana is held under the global exhibition brand Automechanika, owned by Messe Frankfurt GmbH, one of the world's largest exhibition companies with over 800 years of history and representations in more than 50 countries. The global Automechanika network unites over 20 exhibitions on five continents and sets international standards for the automotive components, service, and logistics market. The organizer of the exhibition in Central Asia is the company Business Media Central Asia (BMCA), the official representative of Messe Frankfurt GmbH in the region.
International industry exhibitions are a significant tool for developing foreign trade, export potential, and trade diplomacy. Such platforms contribute to expanding the geography of trade and economic cooperation, strengthening business ties with foreign partners, promoting domestic products to external markets, developing dealer and distributor networks, and deepening integration processes within the Eurasian Economic Union and other multilateral formats.
The exhibition's business program includes the educational program Automechanika Academy, the demonstration platform Automechanika Live Stage, B2B negotiation sessions between manufacturers, distributors, and customers, presentations of new products and technological solutions, as well as expert sessions with the participation of industry associations and international partners.
Participation in the exhibition is relevant for specialists and managers of export and import enterprises, manufacturers of automotive components and related products, service and logistics companies, dealer and distributor networks, wholesale and retail trade operators, industry associations, chambers of commerce and industry, scientific and educational organizations, and government customers.
Admission to the exhibition is free; to register, visit https://exhibition.techno-light.kz/event.php?id=40&utm_source=mintorg
Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aset Ilyasovich Nusupov, made a working trip to the North Kazakhstan Region. During his visit, he met with residents and business representatives at the venue of the North Kazakhstan Region Akimat, familiarized himself with the work of the creative center "Qyzyljar", and also held a personal reception of citizens.
The central part of the trip was a visit to key industrial enterprises of the region. The Vice Minister familiarized himself with the production capacities of the Petropavlovsk Electrotechnical Plant, "Nord Panels" LLP, "ECO Glade" LLP, the "Green North" greenhouse complex, and the "Rim-KazAgro" paper products factory.
Meetings with businesses discussed current issues of domestic trade development, measures to support domestic producers, the introduction of digital solutions in the industry, and the expansion of the region's export potential.
Following the trip, Aset Nusupov noted that the North Kazakhstan Region demonstrates steady growth in industrial production and possesses significant investment potential. The implemented projects are already yielding concrete results: the range of export products is expanding, the positions of local enterprises in the markets of CIS and non-CIS countries are strengthening, and new jobs are being created.
"The Ministry of Trade and Integration is ready to provide systematic support to the region's initiatives. Our task is to help scale up successful practices and ensure the entry of Kazakhstani products into new markets," emphasized the Vice Minister.
Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliyev held a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Kazakhstan Nico Schermers. The central topic of the negotiations was the preparation of Kazakhstan's first trade and economic mission to the Netherlands, scheduled for June of this year. The parties noted that the upcoming mission will be an important step in expanding business contacts between the two countries. In addition, plans were discussed to organize a bilateral business forum in Kazakhstan with the participation of business representatives and specialized companies from both countries.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for expanding Kazakh-Dutch trade and economic partnership, including the development of investment cooperation, logistics, the agro-industrial complex, and the digital economy.
Opening the meeting, Arman Shakkaliyev noted that the Netherlands remains one of Kazakhstan's key and most reliable partners in Europe. According to him, bilateral relations show steady growth both in trade and investment. By the end of 2025, the volume of mutual trade between Kazakhstan and the Netherlands reached $6.3 billion, an increase of more than 11%. At the same time, Kazakhstan's exports to the Netherlands exceeded $5.9 billion.
Special attention during the negotiations was paid to the practical expansion of cooperation. The Kazakh side highlighted the high potential for joint work in the fields of agrotechnology, processing of agricultural products, development of modern logistics routes between Asia and Europe, as well as promoting Kazakh products to the European market.
The importance of strengthening direct contacts between the business communities of the two countries was separately emphasized. The Ministry of Trade and Integration noted that the upcoming trade and economic mission will serve as a platform for establishing new partnerships, discussing joint projects, and expanding the presence of Kazakh companies in the Dutch market.
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening strategic partnership and expressed confidence that Kazakhstan's first trade and economic mission to the Netherlands will give additional impetus to the development of bilateral trade, investment cooperation, and business ties between the countries.