Kazakhstan: A Growing Hub for Dutch Agro Expertise

Key takeaways for Dutch agro-businesses:

• Record Grain Harvest: A 10-year high of 26.7 million tons confirms Kazakhstan’s role as a major exporter to Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa. Sustainable solutions are increasingly crucial in regions facing resource challenges thus opening up possibilities for Dutch expertise. Institutions like Wageningen University & Research (WUR) contribute advanced grain breeding and climate resilience techniques, while companies such as Rijk Zwaan, Enza, and Bejo Zaden offer innovative seed technologies. Additionally, precision irrigation systems from Netafim Netherlands and soil and water management solutions from Royal Eijkelkamp can support sustainable grain production in Kazakhstan.
• Industrialization of Agriculture: Major investments include 116 dairy farms, 29 poultry factories, and improved storage, reflecting a global shift toward modernizing supply chains and boosting efficiency, where Dutch experience is highly relevant.
• Innovation & Technology: Moves towards digital farming, AI, and renewable technologies like "green hydrogen" highlight Kazakhstan’s focus on cutting-edge solutions, opening avenues for precision agriculture and automation collaboration.
• Collaborative Growth: A focus on partnerships aims to bolster competitiveness and food security, aligning with global efforts to build resilient agricultural systems through sustainable practices.

Statistics and ratings

During the the Forum the statistics and ratings presented by President Tokayev shows internal and international progress of Kazakhstan in agricultural domain. Moody’s, the global credit rating agency that assesses the creditworthiness of governments and corporations upgraded Kazakhstan’s credit rating with a "Stable" outlook, the highest in its history. A "stable" outlook indicates that a country's creditworthiness is unlikely to change in the medium term, reflecting balanced risks to its economic and financial stability. This suggests a predictable economic environment and sufficient capacity to meet financial obligations. In addition, Kazakhstan ranked 32nd in the 2022 Global Food Security Index, leading in the CIS. Other statistics were also shared about different topics, including:

Industrial Projects:

• 180 industrial projects in 2024, totaling in investments €2.3 billion: 
  • 116 modern dairy farms to increase milk production by 600,000 tons.
  • 29 poultry farms for meat production (220,000 tons/year).
  • 11 egg farms with a capacity of 850 million eggs/year.
  • 6 feedlots for 100,000 cattle, plus facilities for 50,000 sheep.

Financing in Agriculture:

• Subsidized loans for farming at 5% interest.
• Agricultural financing expanded from approximately €341 million to €1.1 billion in 2024, with plans to reach €2.84 billion

Investment in Fertilizers and Technologies:

• Fertilizer application increased to meet 41% of recommended needs.
• €3.7 billion in projects planned to produce 7 million tons of fertilizers.
• There are now over 200 digital farms, a nearly sixfold increase over the past five years.

Export and Logistics:

• Grain export potential for 2024: 12 million tons.
• Plans to build or modernize storage facilities for 700,000 tons.
• Rail infrastructure: 11,000 km to be repaired and 5,000 km built by 2030.

As Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its agricultural infrastructure and expand its export potential, there is potential for further partnership in driving sustainable and innovative agricultural solutions. Particularly for Dutch companies in seed technology, irrigation, and digital farming, to collaborate and contribute to Kazakhstan’s growing agricultural sector. 

Let’s seize these opportunities to strengthen Dutch-Kazakh partnerships and drive agricultural innovation.