First Pilot Shipment of Kazakh Wheat Delivered to Armenia via Azerbaijan

The first batch of milling wheat from Kazakhstan is being shipped to Armenia via Azerbaijan.

The shipment was sent as part of the agreements reached between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, announced on October 21 in Astana, The Caspian Post reports citing local media.

Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Alim Bayel, noted that in recent months, there has been a steady positive trend in cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in the grain supply sector: "This year, Kazakhstan has become the main supplier of wheat to the Azerbaijani market - according to the latest data, our share was approximately 80 percent. During President Ilham Aliyev's state visit to Astana, the heads of our states particularly noted the results achieved and expressed their mutual desire to consolidate this success and increase cooperation."

Asylhan Dzhuvashev, Chairman of the Board of JSC NC Food Contract Corporation, in turn, stated that the opening of the new transit route is of strategic importance for expanding the export geography of Kazakhstani grain and strengthening transport and logistics ties between the countries of the region.

"This also contributes to the development of trade and economic cooperation and the implementation of peace initiatives in the South Caucasus," he noted.

JSC National Company Food Contract Corporation is the national operator of Kazakhstan's grain market, ensuring food security and supporting agricultural producers.

It was previously noted that Kazakhstan proposed expanding Azerbaijan's export basket to include a wider range of agricultural products. Furthermore, this year the country began supplying grain to Europe, Asia, and North Africa.