Kazakhstan's grain exports to Iran increased to 1 million tons in the 2024/25 marketing year, according to APK News.
This information was announced during a working visit to Moscow by Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov, who met with Gholamreza Nouri Ghezalje, head of Iran's Ministry of Agricultural Jihad. Representatives of Iran's leading businesses participated in the talks. The meeting participants discussed developing trade cooperation, coordinating efforts, and launching new initiatives in the agricultural sector.
Saparov noted positive changes in cooperation with Iran after a slight decline last year. Thus, mutual trade between the two countries fell to $165.2 million in 2023, wheat shipments fell more than eightfold, and barley exports halved. However, the following year (2024), trade turnover significantly recovered, reaching $220 million, with barley shipments tripling.
The positive trend continued in 2025: trade turnover exceeded $249 million, almost doubling compared to the same period the previous year. Grain shipments increased significantly, including a nearly fivefold increase in barley exports.
After outlining the successes achieved, Aidarbek Saparov expressed confidence in the further strengthening of trade relations and the implementation of a number of large-scale projects: "We see enormous potential for the growth of our economic ties and expect to strengthen cooperation in the agricultural sector."
Iran remains an important market for Kazakh grain. During the past marketing season (September 2024 to August 2025), grain exports to Iran exceeded 1 million tons, compared to 86,000 tons the previous year. In the first nine months of this year alone, the country received over 855,000 tons of Kazakh grain worth approximately $170 million.
A specialized terminal at the port of Amirabad made a significant contribution to the successful transportation of goods. In just the first ten months of this year, over 161,000 tons of grain were shipped through it.
The negotiators also outlined prospects for joint investment partnerships.
Dialogue continues with Solico Group regarding the construction of a dairy plant in the Almaty region with a capacity of up to 200,000 tons of cheese per year, in addition to potato processing and baby food production plants.
Kourosh Food Industry has expressed interest in projects for processing vegetable oils, raising poultry, and constructing modern logistics complexes.
Gholamreza Nouri Gozelje, in turn, supported the initiative to intensify contacts, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the two countries: "Iran is a major importer of agricultural products, purchasing over 25 million tons of food annually. It is important for us to at least double our trade turnover with Kazakhstan and make our country a convenient transit point for third countries."
The negotiations resulted in an agreement between the parties to continue working together to develop cooperation in agriculture and create conditions for sustainable economic growth. Specific steps and initiatives are planned to be discussed during a meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission.