– Kazakhstan remains an important and prospective market for the Polish food export. At the same time, we can clearly see that the applicable restrictions translate into a decrease in the export. Therefore, our priority is to lift them and unblock transit, which will allow to rebuild and develop trade cooperation – emphasises the Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak.

Kazakhstan is critical to the export of food in the region

Kazakhstan is the largest customer of Polish food in Central Asia and an important export destination for domestic producers. It is also an important transit country, which allows access to other markets in the region, among others, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

According to Statistics Poland preliminary data, in 2025 Poland’s trade with Kazakhstan amounted to USD 1.82 billion. Polish export reached the value of USD 951 million, of which about USD 120 million were agri-food products.

At the same time, in 2025 the food export to Kazakhstan decreased, which is directly related to the persistent trade restrictions.

Poland wants to lift restrictions and unblock transit

The most important topic of the talks are barriers hindering the export of Polish food and animals. The point is, first of all, the import and transit bans on selected commodities of animal origin, including poultry, poultry products and cattle.

For Poland, it is essential to lift the ban on the transit of poultry and poultry products through the territory of Kazakhstan and restrictions on cattle. These restrictions not only affect access to the Kazakh market but also impede the export to other countries in the region, including Uzbekistan.

Poland is also seeking the recognition of the principle of regionalisation applied in the European Union with respect to Newcastle disease, highly pathogenic avian influenza and African swine fever. The talks also raise the issue of rules of animal movements in connection with bluetongue.

Exporters are waiting for clear procedures

The other key issue remains the approval procedure for Polish establishments interested in exporting to Kazakhstan, including fishing enterprises. Poland proposes the approval of establishments based on the guarantee provided by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Republic of Poland.

The absence of clearly agreed procedures and prolonged talks on audits and approvals remain a significant obstacle for entrepreneurs. Therefore, during the visit to Astana, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also raises the issue of streamlining veterinary cooperation and accelerating technical dialogue between the relevant services of both countries.

Development of trade and cooperation with business

Poland wants to develop trade and institutional and expert cooperation with Kazakhstan. This is to be done, among others, by contacts between entrepreneurs, participation in trade fairs and economic missions as well as by the support offered by the National Support Centre for Agriculture.

In November 2025, KOWR organised the

 Polish national stand at the FoodExpo Qazaqstan fair in Almaty, where 16 companies from the agri-food sector presented their offer. According to the plan of foreign activities for 2026, the Polish national stand is to be organised also during the next edition of the fair.

The Ministry of Agriculture also notices the potential of scientific and expert cooperation with partners from Kazakhstan. This concerns, among others, plant protection, soil management, new technologies in agriculture, breeding and seed production, veterinary medicine as well as studies on crop resistance to drought and other types of environmental stress.

Administrative dialogue

In addition to the participation in the 10^th meeting of the Polish-Kazakh Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation, on the initiative of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture the Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak and Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan Yermek Kenzhekhanuly held the talks on 9 April in Astana. In particular, the meeting was dedicated to the issues of cooperation in veterinary matters, including the elimination of barriers to access to the Kazakh market and other Central Asian countries for Polish animal products.

The objective of the talks is to revive bilateral contacts in agricultural matters, facilitate the resolving of problematic issues and create better conditions for the development of trade cooperation between Poland and Kazakhstan.