Kazakhstan is steadily expanding the geography of its agricultural exports, and the Middle East is becoming one of the key target regions. A recent working visit to Kuwait marked an important milestone in this process. With the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, representatives of the Kazakh company Eurasia Agro Semey visited the State of Kuwait to lay the groundwork for future cooperation, DKNews.kz reports.
The company is currently implementing an ambitious project in Kazakhstan - the construction of the country’s largest meat processing plant. While the facility is still under development, Eurasia Agro Semey is already actively building international partnerships, focusing on long-term export potential rather than short-term deals.
A partnership looking ahead to 2026
The central event of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Eurasia Agro Semey and the Kuwaiti company ALMARAI National Co. The document outlines the parties’ intention to develop cooperation in the supply of meat products after the Kazakh plant is commissioned, which is scheduled for August 2026.
This agreement is not about immediate deliveries. Instead, it reflects a strategic approach: aligning expectations, market requirements, and logistical solutions well in advance. Such early engagement allows producers to adapt products to the specific needs of Middle Eastern markets and build sustainable export channels from the very beginning.
Why Kuwait matters
Kuwait, like many countries in the Middle East, relies heavily on imported food products. At the same time, the market is highly selective, placing strong emphasis on quality, safety standards, and reliability of supply. Entering this market signals confidence in the competitiveness of Kazakh agricultural products.
The memorandum is seen as an important step in strengthening trade and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Kuwait. More broadly, it reflects Kazakhstan’s ambition to expand the presence of its agro-industrial products across Middle Eastern markets, moving beyond raw exports toward value-added food production.
Talks with major retailers and distributors
Beyond the memorandum, the visit included meetings with key players in Kuwait’s food retail and distribution sector. The management of Eurasia Agro Semey held discussions with Al-Yasra, a major food distribution group, as well as The Sultan Center, one of the largest supermarket chains in the country.
During these talks, the sides explored prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation and discussed possible formats for supplying Kazakh export products with high added value. The focus was not only on volumes, but also on product positioning, consumer demand, and long-term partnership models.
A project rooted in history, built for the future
Eurasia Agro Semey is developing its project in an area historically linked to the Kalinin Semipalatinsk Meat Processing Plant, which was one of the largest enterprises in the sector during the Soviet era. For the region, this connection carries symbolic weight.
Today, the company is constructing a modern, high-tech meat processing complex designed to meet international standards. At the same time, the project aims to preserve the region’s manufacturing traditions, combining industrial heritage with contemporary technologies and global market orientation.
A broader signal for Kazakhstan’s agro exports
Experts note that initiatives like this reflect a broader shift in Kazakhstan’s agricultural strategy. The focus is increasingly on processed products with higher added value, stable export markets, and long-term partnerships rather than one-off shipments.
The Kuwait visit and the signed memorandum send a clear signal: Kazakh meat producers are preparing to compete in demanding international markets and are willing to invest time and resources to do so properly. If the plans move forward as expected, 2026 could mark the start of a new chapter for Kazakhstan’s meat exports in the Middle East.
