The head of the Ministry of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin discussed issues of socially significant food products with business

On August 19, 2022, Acting Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin held a meeting session with the heads of eight industry associations of producers and sellers of basic foodstuffs. These are representatives of the Dairy Union, the Poultry Farmers Union, the Grain Union, the Fat and Oil Producers Union, the Farmers Union, the Potato and Vegetable Growers Union, the Grain Processors Union, the Association of Sugar, Food Processing Industry, the Association of Producers of fat and oil products, the Association of Egg Producers of Kazakhstan.

Representatives of the food business voiced topical issues of the industry and the possibility of meeting the needs of the population with their own food. In particular, the executive director of the Dairy Union of Kazakhstan, Vladimir Kozhevnikov, noted that today the industry is ready to ensure the supply of "white" products — milk, kefir, sour cream — by 100%. What is necessary to achieve this indicator, the main problems of the industry and proposals for stabilizing prices and supplies of basic foodstuffs to the domestic market were presented by all participants of the meetings. For most manufacturers, taking into account the specifics of each industry, the main solution to most problems is timely access to "revolving schemes".

Serik Zhumangarin noted that by the end of the year the government will present legislative initiatives aimed at supporting domestic agricultural producers when selling products to large retail chains. A revision of the operation of the reverse scheme is already being considered — not retail chains, but directly manufacturers.

"There have been a lot of proposals, very significant ones, that need to be changed in the financing system in order to avoid significant price increases and shortages. Tomorrow we are planning a meeting with the deputy akims of the regions on the new system of contracting and implementation of the NWPT," Serik Zhumangarin said.

Following the meetings, the participants agreed to continue discussing the possibilities of stabilizing food prices.