Outcomes of the First Visit of the EU Agri-Food Mission to Kazakhstan
Almaty and Astana, May 27-31, 2024 – the EU Agri-Food mission, comprising more than 40 leading Agri-Food companies from 16 EU member-states and led by European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski, visited Kazakhstan.
The primary objectives of the visit of the representative European delegation were to enhance mutual trade in agri-food products, foster strong business connections between Agri-Food companies of Kazakhstan and the EU, and promote bilateral cooperation in agriculture. The development of cooperation in the Agro-Industrial sector are supported by the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Kazakhstan and the EU.
During the visit, European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski held a series of high-level meetings with Kazakh officials. He started his visit with Almaty, where he met with Akim Yerbolat Dosayev. They discussed prospects for trade, economic, and investment cooperation in agriculture, as well as issues of ecology, tourism, transport, and logistics.
Representatives of the EU Agri-Food mission participated in a seminar on food export to Kazakhstan and B2B meetings with Kazakh companies.
The European delegation also participated in the International Exhibition “Interfood Astana 2024,” where Janusz Wojciechowski and Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov opened an EU pavilion. Wojciechowski and Saparov agreed, during a bilateral meeting, to hold technical consultations to support and offer solutions for increasing mutual trade in agricultural products. Currently, the EU mainly imports Kazakh wheat and meslin (9% of Kazakhstan's total exports to the EU), flax seeds (20%), rapeseed (79%), and fish (44%). Efforts are underway to export honey, milk, meat, and aquaculture products.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Janusz Wojciechowski discussed expanding cooperation in the agri-food sector, creating joint projects for the production and processing of agri-food products, and measures to increase food exports to the EU market. The positive dynamic in bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and the EU was noted, with EU countries accounting for over 40% of investments and about 30% of Kazakhstan's foreign trade, amounting to $41.4 billion.
“Agro-industrial complex constitutes one of the important sectors of our economy. Given the country’s potential in producing high-quality organic agricultural products, as well as the growing demand from Europe, we need to expand the range of Kazakh exports to the European market.” – said Prime Minister Bektenov.
The parties agreed to cooperate on implementing advanced agricultural technologies and sharing experiences in reducing the negative impact of climate change on agriculture.
During the meeting with the Minister of Justice of Kazakhstan Azamat Yeskarayev, negotiations were held on the Protocol to the EPCA regarding the protection of geographical indications for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wines and spirits.
The importance of geographical indications for developing bilateral trade and protecting agricultural products was underscored, and interest in signing the Protocol was confirmed.
Minister Azamat Yeskarayev noted that “Kazakhstan has a great potential for the development of geographical indications, and therefore is interested in signing the Protocol, which will help increase the export of our agricultural products and their entry into the EU market.”
During the meeting with the Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, new approaches to transforming Kazakh universities into research universities and developing training programs in collaboration with leading global universities were discussed. One of the key areas of this work is the development of innovations and technologies in the agricultural sector. Developing agricultural technologies and training in this field will enhance industry efficiency and realize the country's high agricultural potential.
Speaking at the meeting with the European delegation, EU Ambassadors and the representatives of international organizations, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko confirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to further expanding multifaceted cooperation, emphasizing the prospects and great potential of close cooperation in the field of agriculture. “The EU Agri-Food mission, which is making its first visit to Kazakhstan, marks a qualitatively new level in bilateral trade and economic cooperation. We are looking forward to hearing about success stories and witnessing the launch of joint projects with the EU in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Additionally, a business forum and B2B meetings were organized to establish business connections and identify specific areas of cooperation between Kazakh and EU companies.
During the visit, the European delegation also met with students of the Karaganda Buketov University, visited the Spassk Memorial dedicated to the commemoration of the victims of the Soviet political repressions, as well as the Rodina LLP Agri farm, and took part in the “Europe Day” celebrations in Astana.