Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates are moving to deepen strategic cooperation in agriculture and food security following high-level talks held on the sidelines of Gulfood 2026 in Dubai.

During a working visit to the trade show, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov met with UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The talks focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector, with both sides underscoring food security as a key pillar of the partnership.

Saparov noted that the UAE is one of Kazakhstan’s leading partners in the Middle East. In the first 11 months of 2025 alone, agricultural trade between the two countries increased by nearly 7 per cent. Kazakhstan’s core exports include lamb, beef, legumes, wheat, and other agricultural products.

He emphasized Kazakhstan’s interest in boosting exports to the UAE, particularly grain and processed grain products, oilseeds, vegetable oils, meat, and livestock feed, including halal and environmentally friendly goods. The minister also proposed establishing long-term export contracts involving state and quasi-state entities to ensure stable supplies.

According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, efforts are ongoing to harmonize veterinary requirements. So far, 13 Kazakh enterprises have obtained authorization to export red meat and poultry to the UAE, while shipments of live livestock, meat products, and chicken eggs have also been approved.

Kazakhstan positions itself as a major agricultural producer in the Eurasian region. The country ranks among the world’s top ten grain exporters, holds second place globally in flour exports at 1.7 million tons, and ranks eighth in sunflower oil exports at 600,000 tons. Annual grain exports reach approximately 13-14 million tons.

“In this context, we are ready to support the UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051 as a long-term partner,” Saparov said. He added that a 2026-2028 Roadmap has been developed to expand cooperation in agricultural supplies and investment, with its signing expected to open new opportunities for strengthening bilateral ties.

In response, Al Dahak Al Shamsi described Kazakhstan as a promising and reliable partner, stressing that the UAE highly values the quality and potential of Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector. She confirmed the UAE’s readiness to deepen cooperation in food security, implement joint projects, and establish a bilateral working group to ensure effective coordination.