$100 Million Agreement Signed: Kazakhstan to Export Record Agricultural Products to Afghanistan

DID Press: Following negotiations between representatives of the Taliban caretaker government and Kazakhstan in Kabul, contracts worth over $100 million have been signed for the export of wheat, maize, soybeans, and other agricultural products from Kazakhstan to Afghanistan. The agreement aims to strengthen food security in Central Asia and expand bilateral trade cooperation.

Talks between Afghan state-owned companies, industry associations, and private-sector representatives with Kazakh officials were held in Kabul on Monday, September 16. The meeting, organized by the Kazakhstan Trade House in Herat, built upon agreements reached during the recent visit of Kazakh government officials to Afghanistan.

Attendees included Nooruddin Azizi, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Taliban caretaker government; Qazyq Akbasov, Acting Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Afghanistan; Arman Yessentaev, Head of the Kazakhstan Trade House in Afghanistan; and Samat Tenbayev, Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan Food Company.

The discussions focused on strengthening regional food security and increasing Kazakhstan’s exports of agricultural products—particularly wheat, flaxseed, maize, and soybeans—to Afghanistan.

Samat Tenbayev underscored the importance of the agreement, saying: “Kazakhstan Food Company, as the state custodian of the grain market, is prepared to expand exports to Afghanistan and ensure sustainable and high-quality supplies of these products.”

The Afghan delegation also expressed interest in establishing long-term trade mechanisms and proposed tools to support export contracts. Both sides further agreed to consolidate export shipments to streamline transport and reduce trade barriers.

Kazakhstan, which in 2025 expanded its grain exports to more than 1.2 million tons, has diversified beyond traditional markets, with its wheat now reaching Southeast Asia and North Africa.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan Railways announced ongoing talks with Turkmenistan to transport 200,000 tons of grain via Afghanistan’s border with Turkmenistan—a move that could open new transit corridors for regional exports.