The meeting was held in Ankara on May 10, 2022. Opening it, the Head of the Kazakhstani department noted the stable development of Kazakh-Turkish relations in the field of agriculture. The minister described the potential of Kazakhstan in the production and export of high-quality and environmentally friendly organic agricultural products. Today, Kazakh agricultural products are supplied to almost 70 countries of the world.
In addition, Kazakhstan is the main country in ensuring food security throughout the Central Asian region, occupying a leading position in the production and export of grains and oilseeds.
“Kazakhstan is one of the world leaders in the export of wheat and flour. Our grain is characterized by high quality indicators. The presence of pastures, own feed and accessibility to distant pastures contribute to the growth of meat production and comply with Halal requirements. Taking into account the geographical location, rich land resources, as well as favorable climatic conditions, the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan in the future can play an important role in stabilizing and improving the food situation in the world,” the head of the department noted.
The Minister noted the steady growth of trade indicators between the two countries - despite the pandemic. In January-February 2022, the trade turnover with the Republic of Turkey for agricultural products amounted to about 37 million US dollars, which is 62% more than in the same period in 2021 (22.7 million US dollars). Exports increased by 55% and amounted to 19.5 million US dollars. Imports increased by 69% and amounted to 17.1 million US dollars.
According to the minister, the potential for developing trade between the two countries has great prospects. In this regard, Kazakhstan is interested in increasing the export of meat products, vegetable oils and other products of animal origin. There is an interest in increasing the export of goods of deep processing of meat and dairy products (canned meat and meat and vegetables, skimmed milk, butter, dairy products, cheeses, cottage cheese, etc.). Also in Kazakhstan there is a demand for Turkish fruits and vegetables, citrus fruits, etc.
During the meeting, Yerbol Karashukeev put forward priority areas for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Turkey. This is the processing of agricultural raw materials, as well as the production of high-quality, affordable and competitive food products.
There is a great potential for cooperation in the field of agricultural science and education, namely in conducting joint scientific research, exchanging experience and results of scientific research, in conducting joint activities to introduce and develop the Halal accreditation scheme, as well as in developing cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).
The head of the department also highly appreciated Turkey's experience in the development of leather and wool processing. “The Kazakh side is interested in drawing on your experience in this sector for the implementation of joint projects, for this we have sufficient volumes of raw materials,” the head of the department emphasized.
He highlighted the experience of Turkey, which is one of the world's top three apple producers, thanks to the measures taken to develop modern breeding methods. And in Kazakhstan, horticulture is one of the priority areas for the development of the agro-industrial complex, the state creates all the necessary conditions to attract investors to this industry, including foreign ones.
According to the minister, the state has created the necessary investment climate, and provides stable state support in the form of subsidies and concessional lending. In addition, Kazakhstan is geographically located in such a way that the climate favorably affects the development of horticulture. “In this regard, our country would like to develop cooperation with Turkish investors for the production of seedlings using meristem (in-vitro) technology,” said Y.Karashukeev.
One of the priorities for Kazakhstan is to attract foreign investors to the processing of agricultural raw materials: meat and milk, potatoes, sugar beets, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, raw hides, the minister stressed.
For the sustainable development of the agricultural sector, the state is taking a number of measures to support agricultural producers and entrepreneurial initiatives, the legislation is being constantly improved, ensuring transparency and clarity of decisions made by the state, and the system of providing public services is being simplified. “In this connection, we invite Turkish entrepreneurs to cooperate to implement joint projects in these sectors of the agro-industrial complex,” the minister said.
At the end of the meeting, he noted that Kazakhstan is interested in the experience of Turkey and expressed hope for cooperation with the Turkish side in the production and processing of agricultural products, the development of agricultural science, the introduction of modern technologies, as well as food security.
On this day, the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerbol Karashukeev and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey Vakhit Kirishdzhi signed an Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in the field of quarantine and plant protection.
Also, during the visit, the following will be signed: Memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Iskefe Holding (a project for the construction of a gelatin production plant in Almaty); Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Coca-Cola İçecek A.Ş (project for the construction of a soft drinks plant in Shymkent).
