An initiative was discussed at the Uzbek-Kazakhstan business forum in Tashkent that could provide Uzbek entrepreneurs access to pasture lands in Kazakhstan for raising livestock with the aim of subsequent export.
An initiative was discussed at the Uzbek-Kazakhstan business forum in Tashkent that could provide Uzbek entrepreneurs access to pasture lands in Kazakhstan for raising livestock with the aim of subsequent export.
Vakhabov cited previous agreements between Uzbekistan and Belarus, under which an investor who independently establishes a feed base and engages in livestock breeding from the beginning has the right to export both meat and live cattle weighing over 400 kg.
He posed the question: 'If an entrepreneur from Uzbekistan buys a young bull from scratch, develops both dairy and meat production there, and then exports the livestock they raised themselves to Uzbekistan, why can't we raise this issue?'
Due to differences in land availability, Vakhabov proposed designating a pilot zone of at least 50,000 hectares. He noted that in Uzbekistan, up to 0.5 hectares are allocated per head of livestock, whereas in Kazakhstan, this ranges from two to seven hectares per head.
Dauren Salykov, Chairman of the Livestock Union of Kazakhstan, commented on the proposal, stating that current restrictions on the export of live cattle and meat from Kazakhstan are linked to veterinary safety requirements and the need to ensure the domestic market. An export quota of 25,000 tons of meat has been set for the second half of the year.
Salykov suggested differentiating between various categories of producers. He stated: 'If someone comes, invests money, builds facilities, buys and fattens the livestock themselves, they should be allowed to export it. We just need to coordinate this with the Ministry of Agriculture so that such operators have centralized permits and supervision.' He also added that a separate quota regime could be introduced for Kazakh farmers specializing in livestock breeding without the fattening stage.
Kanat Sharlapaev, Chairman of the Presidium of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan, supported this idea, emphasizing its benefits for Kazakhstan. He noted: 'If an entrepreneur comes, builds a feed complex, we know why it was built—to take the produce. They will buy equipment and agricultural machinery and hire workers. Most importantly, a large share of added value will remain and be shared between the investor and the Republic of Kazakhstan. This is exactly what we need.'
The parties agreed to continue discussions. No specific details of the pilot project were determined at the forum, including land location, investor eligibility requirements, or permit procedures.
According to forum data, in 2025, Kazakhstan exported 32,000 tons of beef and 34,000 tons of mutton to Uzbekistan, which is 1.7 times higher than the previous year's figures, with the export value amounting to about 300 million US dollars. Over 90% of Kazakhstan's meat exports go to Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan possesses 188 million hectares of pastures, and according to the Livestock Union of Kazakhstan, the country's potential allows for increasing the cattle herd from the current 9 million to 25 million heads. Furthermore, the country is implementing a state financing program offering loans at 5% per annum for 10 years with a two-year grace period to support the import of 50,000 breeding females.
Representatives of Uzbekistan put forward a proposal to create a livestock project on the territory of Kazakhstan, covering an area of at least 50 thousand hectares. This initiative will allow Uzbek entrepreneurs to engage in cattle breeding in Kazakhstan and subsequently supply this product to Uzbekistan.
The idea was voiced by Davron Vakhabov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, during the Uzbek-Kazakhstan business forum. According to the plan, investors from Uzbekistan will be able to independently purchase and maintain livestock in Kazakhstan, ensuring the necessary feed base, after which they can export animals weighing over 400 kilograms.
The Kazakh side reacted positively to the discussion of this project. To operate such enterprises, it is proposed to create a special regulation that will govern accounting, veterinary control, and the quota for export supplies.
According to the head of the Union of Livestock Breeders of Kazakhstan, in 2025, 32 thousand tons of beef and 34 thousand tons of mutton were supplied to Uzbekistan, with a total value reaching approximately 300 million dollars. Moreover, more than 90 percent of the meat exported by Kazakhstan is directed specifically to the Uzbek market. It was previously also mentioned that over 460 million dollars is planned to be allocated to support the development of livestock farming in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan authorities plan to allocate $463 million to support the livestock sector. These funds will be used to restore enterprises, increase meat and milk production, purchase breeding stock, and integrate digital technologies into the industry.
The relevant proposals were presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. During the presentation, it was noted that the country's annual meat demand has reached 2.15 million tons, while current production stands at approximately 1.6 million tons. To eliminate this deficit, a livestock development program for the period 2026–2028 was developed, which provides for an increase in meat production by 190 thousand tons.
A key aspect of the program is the restoration of 103 livestock farms. For this, the possibility of restructuring existing debt or providing installment payments for up to ten years is provided, as well as the allocation of land plots for fodder cultivation and the provision of breeding stock to these farms.
Furthermore, in thirteen specialized districts, it is planned to increase the efficiency of using 75 thousand hectares of fodder land, finance small livestock initiatives, and open new sales points for feed and milk reception. In private farms, the construction of 11 thousand light cow sheds capable of housing 421 thousand head of cattle is planned.
A separate section of the program includes the implementation of 802 investment projects totaling 3 trillion soums. These projects will create conditions for housing over 68 thousand head of cattle and 186 thousand sheep and goats, ensuring an annual increase in meat production by 20 thousand tons and milk production by 120 thousand tons.
To increase the total herd size, Uzbekistan intends to import 150 thousand sheep from Mongolia, 100 thousand head of breeding cattle from China and European countries, and two thousand head of livestock from Belarus. This import is expected to lead to an additional meat production of about 44 thousand tons annually.
As part of the industry modernization, the Smart Fermer digital platform was presented. This system will allow farmers to identify animals, call veterinary specialists, receive advice on feeding and artificial insemination, and apply for subsidies and use AI-based advice.
Significant attention is being paid to the poultry sector. Projects worth $432 million are planned until 2028, which will allow for an increase in poultry meat output by 100 thousand tons, expand feed production capacity to 3.3 million tons, and improve modern slaughtering systems.
Following the presentation, the president instructed an analysis of the economic efficiency of all presented projects, guaranteed the targeted spending of allocated funds, and mandated the implementation of digital systems for monitoring and accounting.
It was previously reported that Uzbek authorities extended tax benefits for air transport of meat until the end of the current year, which were introduced in the spring to stabilize prices in the domestic market.
