Kazakhstan, China launch joint platform for grain, oilseed trade

ASTANA. May 21 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan and China have agreed to create a joint grain trading platform, the press service of the Kazakh Agriculture Ministry said following a meeting between Kazakh Deputy Agriculture Minister Yermek Kenzhekhanuly and the head of China's National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (NAFRA), Liu Huanyxin.

"Following the meeting, the sides reached agreement to establish a joint China-Kazakhstan grain trading platform," the press service said.

The project is being implemented under the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation plan between China and the Central Asian countries.

The platform will be based on China's existing national online grain trading system and will enable companies from both countries to conclude deals through competitive bidding and direct negotiations, the ministry said.

"The platform's main product range will focus on soybeans and other oilseed crops," it said.

The sides also discussed expanding bilateral trade in agricultural products, signing long-term contracts for grain and oilseed supplies, developing logistics hubs and dry ports, and exchanging storage and processing technologies for agricultural products.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Kazakh Agriculture Ministry and NAFRA, along with a cooperation agreement between Kazakhstan's Food Contract Corporation and NAFRA's Grain Trading Coordination Center.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, agricultural trade turnover between Kazakhstan and China increased 36.8% in 2025 and amounted to $1.97 billion. The figure increased 61.7% in January-March 2026 to $697 million.

Kazakh agricultural exports to China rose 35.3% in 2025 to $1.43 billion, and surged 82.4% year-on-year to $550 million in Q1 2026.