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Australia agribusiness delegates visit Kazakhstan

20 Nov 2012

Australian agribusiness companies showcased their capabilities at KazAgro and KazFarm 2012, the leading agricultural exhibition in Kazakhstan held from 24-26 October.

Supported by the Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture and national holding company KazAgro, the exhibition held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, attracted both local and international companies.

The exhibition covered all aspects of agriculture, including horticulture, plant-growing, irrigation, animal husbandry, stock breeding, equipment and technologies. 

Dan Tebbutt, Australia’s Senior Trade Commissioner in Moscow, led a delegation which met with senior Kazakhstan veterinary officials to discuss the implications of standardised import protocols which are due to come into effect on 1 January 2013.

The delegation also discussed importance of a high standard of animal welfare for animals exported to Kazakhstan.

Participation in the exhibition provided delegates an efficient way to research the market, promote their capabilities and expand contacts with key industry participants at one venue.

Kazakhstan is Central Asia’s largest economy and the Kazakhstani government is supporting the revival of the country’s beef cattle industry with the purchase of imported pedigree cattle.

Like Australia, Kazakhstan is blessed with rich natural resources, including minerals and vast agricultural land.

The country has 24 million hectares of arable land (located mainly on the steppe). While wheat is Kazakhstan’s main agricultural product, the country also has the potential to be competitive in livestock breeding for meat and dairy.

In 2011, some 4,800 cattle worth approximately A$4.4 million were exported from Australia to Kazakhstan.

According to the IMF, Kazakhstan’s GDP for 2011 totalled US$186.2 billion (current prices) and is projected to reach US$200.6 billion for 2012.