Iran and Kazakhstan Deepen Agricultural Cooperation with Focus on Off-Territory Farming

Iran and Kazakhstan have taken concrete steps to strengthen their agricultural interaction, placing special emphasis on off-territory cultivation, joint investments, and expanding trade in agro-food products. The discussion took place during a high-level meeting at the seventh session of the Eurasian Economic Union's Council on Agricultural Policy in Almaty.

The recent meeting of delegations from the Ministries of Agriculture of Iran and Kazakhstan occurred against the backdrop of significant growth in bilateral agricultural trade. According to Kazakh data, in 2025, trade in agricultural products with Iran increased by 55.8 percent, accounting for 79 percent of the total bilateral trade volume. Meanwhile, Kazakh exports to Iran grew by an impressive 97 percent over the same period.

Kazakhstan's Minister of Agriculture, Aidarbek Saparov, called Iran 'one of the most promising markets for expanding Kazakhstan's agro-food exports,' stressing his country's readiness to ensure stable supply volumes and expand product assortment.

Iran's Vice Minister of Agriculture, Akbar Fati, who headed the Iranian delegation, confirmed Tehran's interest in increasing imports of Kazakh agro-food products and developing practical cooperation in priority areas.

A key point of the discussions was off-territory cultivation. Both sides noted Kazakhstan's fertile lands and suitable precipitation levels as ideal conditions for producing grains, oilseeds, and corn. This aligns with Iran's broader strategy to ensure food security through foreign farming.

Under the Seventh National Development Plan (2023–2027), Iran set a goal to allocate two million hectares for off-territory agriculture, with Kazakhstan designated as a priority direction. The current year's plan includes about 400,000 hectares of such farming.

Previously, Iranian officials pointed to Kazakhstan as one of the main priorities for off-territory agriculture, citing the abundance of arable land and favorable climatic conditions in the country. This approach is intended to address the problems of limited water and soil resources in Iran, as well as challenges related to climate change and population growth.

The possibility of increasing exports of Iranian fruits, dried fruits, and greenhouse products to Kazakhstan was also discussed, opening new market opportunities for Iranian producers. Fati noted that developing agricultural partnership between EAEU member states can contribute to increasing trade exchanges, developing joint investments, and creating new markets for agricultural products.

The meeting in Almaty followed a significant bilateral momentum created during the visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Kazakhstan in December 2025. During this visit, the two countries signed 14 bilateral agreements covering transport, transit, logistics, cultural exchange, and healthcare, and adopted a joint statement expressing commitment to deeper cooperation.

A roadmap was developed during the presidential visit aimed at increasing bilateral trade to 3 billion US dollars. The parties emphasized the need to mobilize the potential of the private sector. Currently, the volume of bilateral trade is approximately between 350 and 430 million US dollars, with significant growth potential identified in various sectors.

The private sector responded positively. In December 2025, representatives of the private sectors of Iran and Kazakhstan signed nine cooperation agreements, including three memorandums of understanding between chambers of commerce and six company-level deals concerning agriculture, mining, copper production, and food processing. One of these agreements is valued at over 1 billion dollars.

Speaking at the Iran-Kazakhstan business conference in Astana, President Pezeshkian called Kazakhstan a 'strategic partner' and stressed Iran's commitment to building a sustainable network of cooperation and mutual investment between the private sectors of both countries.

In addition to agriculture, both sides are working to strengthen transport and logistics links, which are the foundation for expanding trade. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) has become a critical priority: in 2025, cargo turnover along this corridor increased by 12 percent, reaching 3.5 million tons, and rail transport between the two countries increased by 69 percent.

At negotiations in June 2026, Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin proposed developing a joint roadmap for modernizing transport infrastructure to increase the annual capacity of the corridor to 20 million tons. Kazakhstan is also considering providing Iranian companies with port facilities in Aktau and Kuryk on the Caspian Sea to expand logistics operations.

The China–Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan corridor, which connects to Iran's railway network at the Inchkh Burun border crossing, was identified as another route with high commercial potential, provided that transport costs are reduced and incentives are expanded.

Discussions also touched upon the halal products market. Iranian officials emphasized that all agricultural and food products in Iran are produced and supplied in halal form, and global demand for halal-certified products is significantly growing. Recognizing halal products within the EAEU could provide access to the Union's consumer market of over 180 million people, as well as to the markets of Southeast and West Asia.

Both sides agreed to intensify practical cooperation in seed production, modern agricultural technologies, and advanced farming methods. Investment cooperation remains another key area, as both sides are interested in joint projects capable of creating new production and logistics chains in the agro-food sector.

The meetings and specialized programs held in Almaty reflect both countries' commitment to strengthening agricultural diplomacy, developing export markets, increasing agricultural trade, and utilizing the joint opportunities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Kazakhstan.