July 27, 2024
Kazakhstan and China sign US$75 million meat and cattle export deals
Kazakhstan's agro-industrial firms have finalised three contracts with their Chinese counterparts involving the export of meat and live cattle to China, valued at US$75 million, The Times of Central Asia reported.
This followed discussions between Kazakhstan's Minister for Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov and leaders from Chinese companies CITIC Construction and Beijing Capital Agro.
Beijing Capital Agro has announced plans to invest over US$600 million in Kazakhstan's beef production sector by 2030. The investment will include the development of cattle feedlots within Kazakhstan.
Minister Saparov highlighted the significance of the agricultural partnership between Kazakhstan and China. He stated, "China is one of our three largest agricultural trading partners. In 2023, the trade turnover of agricultural products between Kazakhstan and China reached US$1.3 billion, marking a 67% increase from 2022. Kazakh agricultural exports to China have doubled, hitting US$1 billion. While grain and oilseeds make up most exports, there is significant potential for increasing livestock product exports."
Kazakhstan is well-positioned to produce environmentally friendly meat products. This year, the area dedicated to fodder crops has expanded by 314,000 hectares, supporting the growth of livestock farming, including poultry, dairy, and beef cattle.
In February 2024, China lifted restrictions on the import of meat products from Kazakhstan. This development enabled the resumption of meat exports, with the first shipment of beef arriving in China in June.
- The Times of Central Asia
