Kazakhstan, Iran Expand Agro Trade as Grain Exports Soar

Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov has met with Iran’s Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh in Moscow, where the two sides discussed expanding trade, strengthening cooperation, and launching new joint projects in the agro-industrial sector.

Saparov noted that despite a sharp decline in 2023-when bilateral agricultural trade fell to $165.2 million, wheat exports dropped eightfold, and barley shipments halved-the momentum shifted in 2024. Trade rebounded to $220 million, and barley exports tripled, The Caspian Post informs via Kazakh media.

The growth accelerated even further in 2025. Over the first nine months, trade turnover hit $249.1 million, nearly doubling year-on-year. Barley exports surged 4.6 times, and wheat supplies also increased.

Saparov emphasized Iran’s importance as one of Kazakhstan’s key grain markets. Between September 2024 and August 2025, Kazakhstan supplied over 1 million tons of grain to Iran-up from just 86,000 tons the previous year. The Amirabad Grain Terminal in the port of Amirabad contributed significantly, handling 161,000 tons of barley and wheat in the first 10 months of 2025.

The meeting also focused on expanding sunflower oil exports. Kazakhstan shipped 5,900 tons to Iran in 2024, but domestic processors say they are ready to scale up to 500,000 tons per year. New vegetable oil terminals planned for the ports of Kuryk and Aktau are expected to boost capacity and simplify logistics.

Investment cooperation is also gaining traction. Joint ventures such as Empire Food and Kaz-Ir Agro are already operating in Kazakhstan, while talks continue with Solico Group on building a large cheese-processing complex in Almaty Region. Iran’s Kourosh Food Industry has expressed interest in oilseed processing, poultry farming, and logistics projects.

Ghezeljeh reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to deepen cooperation, noting that the country imports more than 25 million tons of agricultural products annually. He also proposed using Iran as a transit hub for Kazakh goods heading to third countries.

Both sides agreed to continue strengthening their partnership, with upcoming discussions to continue within the Kazakhstan-Iran Working Group on Agricultural Cooperation.