Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Minister, Aidarbek Saparov, expressed optimism on Thursday about resolving ongoing trade issues with Russia regarding the import of grain and other agricultural products. Here are the key points:
Negotiations Underway: Following discussions with Russia’s agricultural safety watchdog, Saparov announced that one of his deputies has traveled to Moscow to continue negotiations aimed at addressing the trade tensions.
Concerns Over Trade Relations: The strain in trade relations is particularly concerning for Kazakhstan, which relies on transit through Russia to access Western markets for its key exports, primarily oil.
Accusations from Russia: Russian authorities recently reported complaints from domestic companies claiming that Kazakhstan was issuing phytosanitary certificates in their names without authorization. This has raised alarms regarding the legitimacy of agricultural exports.
Kazakhstan’s Response: In response, the Kazakh agriculture ministry labeled Moscow’s accusations as unfounded, stating that it cannot be held responsible for the actions of fraudulent companies. The ministry also noted that similar issues have occurred with Russian exports to Kazakhstan.
Eurasian Economic Union Involvement: The Kazakh ministry emphasized that the resolution of these matters should occur at the level of the Eurasian Economic Union, a trade bloc led by Russia, to ensure a collaborative approach.
Previous Import Ban: In August, Kazakhstan imposed a ban on wheat imports from Russia and other countries, citing the need to protect its domestic market.