On 11 December, a round table was held in Astana to officially present the Roadmap for the Development of Exports of Kazakh Oil and Fat Products for 2026–2028, with the participation of government agencies, industry processors, exporters, business associations, and international partners. This initiative aims to make Kazakhstan a country with an annual export turnover of over US$1 billion, expanding market opportunities for the sale of products with higher added value, which will make a significant contribution to the country's economic and social growth, DKNews.kz reports.
The roadmap was developed using the processes, methodology, and technical assistance of the International Trade Centre (ITC), with the participation of the National Association of Oilseed Processors and “QazTrade” Center for Development of Trade Policy JSC (QazTrade), as part of the ‘Ready4Trade Central Asia: Fostering Prosperity Through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor’ project, funded by the European Union. It aims to implement the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to increase the share of processing to 70%, reduce import dependence, develop exports of finished products, and stabilise domestic prices.
The Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, Dr. Johannes Baur, noted:
“Today’s event marks a significant milestone. Over the past year, Kazakhstan’s institutions, the private sector, and ITC experts conducted sector diagnostics, a company survey and several rounds of consultations, resulting in a joint and well-founded Roadmap that we are validating today. This Roadmap is first and foremost a national document — developed, shaped and owned by Kazakhstan, with the European Union proud to have supported the process alongside ITC”.
The document outlines a set of measures for the development of the industry over the next three years: eliminating raw material shortages, introducing agricultural technologies, resolving logistical issues, developing infrastructure, and creating favourable conditions for farmers and processors through financial instruments. Particular attention is given to the accelerated diversification of cultivated areas and the development of infrastructure for the reception and storage of oilseeds for agricultural producers, as one of the key factors in achieving the goal.
Currently, the domestic oil and fat industry is on the verge of major changes and has enormous potential. Kazakhstan is actively strengthening its position in the global agri-food market – the country is among the top 10 global exporters of sunflower oil and among the top 3 suppliers of sunflower meal to the European Union. At the same time, Kazakh oil and fat products are supplied to more than 20 countries worldwide.
Representatives of government agencies (the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, QazTrade, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, NC "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" JSC, “Baiterek” NMH” JSC and others), businesses (National Oilseed Processors Association, ‘Association of Seed Growers of Kazakhstan’ ALE), as well as international partners - representatives of the European Union and the International Trade Centre - took part in the development of the Roadmap for the Export of Kazakhstan Oil and Fat Products.
Following the round table, it is planned to create a public-private platform to implement the measures set out in the roadmap.
