Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan intend to increase mutual trade in agricultural products. The Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aidarbek Saparov, who arrived in Bishkek on a working visit, and the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers — Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic Bakyt Torobaev reached an agreement on this issue.
The parties discussed the possibilities of strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding trade in agricultural products.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the trade turnover of agricultural products between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan amounted to $299.4 million in 2023, of which $220.1 million was export, and $79.3 million — import.
In the first seven months of 2024, there was an increase in the export of pasta, wheat flour, sunflower oil and other goods from the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Kyrgyz Republic increased the import of mineral and carbonated water, milk and bakery products.
It was also noted that Kyrgyzstan had been purchasing grain crops from neighboring countries for the past few years. An agreement was reached at the meeting on the supply of Kazakh wheat to Kyrgyzstan.
Bakyt Torobaev instructed millers to work out this issue.
Kyrgyzstan expressed interest in import of mineral fertilizers, increasing export quotas for cattle and small cattle, and Kazakhstan — in import of early spring vegetables. The parties intend to intensify cooperation between research institutes and agricultural universities of both countries in the field of exchanging new varieties and hybrids of plants.