Iran, Kazakhstan Explore Expansion of Agro Ties

Iran and Kazakhstan can complement each other in the field of agricultural production and activities.

This was announced by Iran’s Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati in a Sunday meeting with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Askar Myrzakhmetov in Tehran.

“We are an importer of barley, oilseeds, red meat and light and heavy livestock and Kazakhstan can supply our demand in these areas. In return, Iran is among the biggest producers of dairy, milk powder, eggs and poultry.  There is demand in Kazakhstan for these products and Iran can supply them,” Hojjati was quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.

The official added that there is high capacity in Kazakhstan for expanding aquaculture due to abundant water resources.

“Iran is the biggest producer of coldwater fish and trout in the world. We are ready to export these products and cooperate in producing these types of fish in Kazakhstan,” he said.

Myrzakhmetov, who is also Kazakhstan’s minister of agriculture, said his country is ready to meet part of Iran’s demand for rice by cultivating the seeds of Iranian rice in Kazakh farmlands.

“We are not able to produce oranges and tangerines in Kazakhstan and are willing to import them from Iran as part of long-term contracts,” he said.

Earlier on Saturday, Myrzakhmetov had a meeting with Iranian Minister of Industries, Mining and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari where the Iranian side expressed its readiness to waive visas for commercial purposes.

Kazakhstan will ship 200 tons of meat to Iran until the end of the year, KazTag reported on Monday, citing a statement by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture.

“An agreement on the supply of 200 tons of mutton until the end of the year has been signed between companies in West Kazakhstan region and Iranian representatives. Since the beginning of the year, the region shipped 80 tons of mutton to Iran,” the Kazakh ministry said.

The Ministry of Agriculture said Kazakhstan and Iran coordinated all the veterinary requirements for meat export in July this year.

“The export of cattle products is supplied to the Iranian market by taking in account all the requirements,” reads the statement.