In 2024, the Food Corporation launched a program aimed at helping small farms enter grain export markets. To do this, the Food Corporation consolidates small batches of grain for export without buying it. Thus, in the first year of this program, Kazakhstani farmers were able to sell products to foreign buyers for a total of $20 million, the Food Corporation press service reported.
As part of the consolidation program, the Food Corporation provides farmers with services in a "single window" format, organizing the signing of direct contracts between farmers and large foreign buyers.
"As a result, farmers signed six export contracts for the supply of grain and oilseeds to China and Central Asia for $20 million. The advantage of the program is that all proceeds from the sale of products for export are sent to farmers and small traders. This successful experience will be further developed next year," the Food Corporation noted.
The corporation also reported that in 2024, the state operator signed contracts for the sale of 613 thousand tons of grain, of which 407.5 thousand tons have already been shipped to buyers. The largest volumes of grain were purchased by Kazakhstani livestock and processing enterprises. Some of the grain was also exported.
“To expand export opportunities and ensure guaranteed sales of grain, the Food Corporation continued to work to deepen cooperation with large state-owned Chinese corporations. In particular, agreements were reached with the COFCO agricultural holding on concluding a three-year contract for the supply of grain and oilseed crops. A framework contract was signed with the Chinese group of companies Jiangsu SOHO HoldingsGroup for the supply of 200 thousand tons of Kazakhstani feed barley,” the Food Corporation reported.
In addition, the grain will be supplied to deep processing plants that Chinese investors plan to build in Kazakhstan.
At the same time, for the first time in a long time, the Food Corporation has established barley supplies to Iran; an export contract for 30 thousand tons has already been concluded.
“In 2025, the Food Corporation will focus on solving strategic tasks, which, among other things, include supporting small and medium-sized farms and expanding the geography of exports,” the company reported.