Kazakhstan and Belgium’s Vandeputte Group discuss localising flax processing
Kazakhstan and Belgium's Vandeputte Group, one of Europe's largest flax processors, have discussed the possibility of setting up flax processing and linseed oil production directly in Kazakhstan using Belgian technology.
The meeting took place on 29 August 2026 with Kazakhstan's ambassador to Belgium Roman Vassilenko, Vandeputte owner and purchasing director Henri-François Vandeputte, representatives of Kazakh Invest, and the Kazakh companies Harvest Agro, Alem Agro and Olzha Agro. The parties discussed long-term raw-material supply, improving flax yields and quality, and developing export logistics.
Founded in 1887, Vandeputte Group processes around 120,000 tonnes of flaxseed a year. In 2025 Kazakhstan's flax exports to Belgium more than doubled to $164.4 million, and between September 2025 and May 2026 Kazakhstan shipped 309,500 tonnes — 28% of its total flax exports.
Why this matters for Chamber members. Kazakhstan still mostly exports raw flax; localising processing means a shift to higher-value-added production on the ground — for local business that means demand for seed farms, grain elevators and logistics, not a one-off deal.
