Kazakhstan is positioning itself to deepen its presence in the Turkish agricultural market, with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov outlining export ambitions during the 14th meeting of the Kazakhstan-Türkiye Intergovernmental Economic Commission held in Astana on April 15, 2026.
Bektenov highlighted a notable surge in bilateral agro-industrial commerce, noting that trade in agricultural products expanded by more than 25% over the previous year, bringing the total volume to nearly 360 million US dollars. The Prime Minister emphasized that this trajectory reflects growing commercial ties, but argued that much more remains untapped.
"We see a positive trend in the development of agricultural cooperation," Bektenov stated at the commission gathering. "However, the true potential of our partnership lies in diversification—broadening the range of products we trade and establishing joint manufacturing operations that deliver higher added value."
Looking ahead, Kazakh authorities are targeting shipments of wheat, lentils, green crops, and oilseeds to Turkish buyers. Achieving these goals, however, will require progress on regulatory alignment. Bektenov proposed that Kazakh and Turkish technical teams work in parallel on veterinary and phytosanitary certification frameworks, describing coordinated standards as an essential enabler for trade expansion.
The intergovernmental commission, now in its 14th session, serves as the primary bilateral platform for coordinating economic policy across sectors including trade, investment, logistics, and industrial cooperation.