Kazakhstan to ship 1-mln tonnes of grain grown in 2022-2023 to Iran
NUR-SULTAN. June 20 (Interfax) - The Kazakh and Iranian agriculture ministries have signed a memorandum under which Kazakhstan is to ship 1 million tonnes of grain to Iran, the Kazakh ministry said.
"During Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, the agriculture ministers of the two countries signed a memorandum on the delivery of 1 million tonnes of grain crops to the IRI. The delivery shall be accomplished from the 2022-2023 harvest," it said.
The parties also signed a memorandum of cooperation in the agricultural sector, which envisions cooperation in the field of horticulture (increase in exports of various dry and fresh fruits and subtropical fruits), agricultural science (production of organic products, modern irrigation methods, horticulture and technologies, nutrition), investments in the agribusiness sector (reform and improvement of management of apple and other orchards in Kazakhstan, development of intensive apple orchards in Kazakhstan), livestock products, and phytosanitary safety.
The Kazakh and Iranian agriculture ministers have also signed a memorandum of cooperation in trading in and transiting agricultural products.
"Under the document, Kazakhstan intends to supply to Iran the following products: grain crops (wheat, barley, corn), oil-bearing crops (linseeds), vegetable oil (sunflower oil), pastries, meat (lamb and pork), and meat products," it said.
Iran would export to Kazakhstan vegetables (potatoes, onions, carrots, and cucumbers), fruits (apples, pears, quinces, dates, figs, and pineapples), dairy products, and seafood.
As reported earlier, in line with the memorandum, Iran shall ensure unimpeded transit of Kazakh wheat and other agricultural products across its territory without extra duties and fees. The parties would encourage imports of Kazakh-produced wheat to Iran on SWAP terms and, on the other hand, exports of equal amounts of wheat via Iranian borders.
Kazakhstan is committed to facilitating the transportation of Iranian agricultural cargo.
The Kazakh Industry and Infrastructural Development and the Iranian Ministry of Roads and Urban Development have committed to remain in touch with relevant bodies in third countries to ensure the transit of goods at an optimal speed and optimal cost.
According to the Kazakh Agricultural Ministry, trade in the agricultural sector between Kazakhstan and Iran amounted to $167.5 million in January-March 2022, which is 45.8% more than in the same period in 2021. Exports from Kazakhstan grew by 60% to $135.7 million and imports by 16.1% to $31.8 million.