Akmola region grain heads for Brussels as exports grow 24%
Akmola region, one of Kazakhstan's largest grain-growing regions, is preparing to bring its harvest to the European market: since the start of the year local farmers have shipped more than 2.5 million tonnes of grain abroad, and by year-end the region aims to reach 4 million tonnes — up 24% on the year before.
The region showcased its export capacity directly to foreign diplomats, taking embassy representatives out to the fields as the harvest campaign nears its end — about 5.5 million tonnes of grain have already been brought in. Akmola region's akim, Marat Akhmetzhanov, said the region has export terminals and an agreement with Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote local grain abroad, and plans to present it in Brussels soon.
Among the guests was Arie Veldhuizen, agricultural counsellor at the Embassy of the Netherlands for Central Asia. He said the Netherlands itself does not export grain in large volumes but has built up considerable expertise in agriculture — and sees broad room for cooperation between Dutch companies and Akmola farms.
According to the regional government, 707 billion tenge has gone into developing the region's agro-industrial complex over the past three years — investment in machinery, elite seed stock and infrastructure that farmers cite as one reason they can keep grain quality at export standard.
Why this matters for Chamber members. For Kazakh grain producers, a direct dialogue with Dutch agricultural specialists is a practical step toward contracts with European buyers without intermediaries. For Belgian and Dutch agribusiness, it signals that Kazakh grain is steadily moving toward European market requirements.
