Kazakhstan and Libya Discuss Prospects for Agricultural Trade

On 23 October 2026, the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan held a meeting with a delegation from Libya in Astana. The parties discussed opportunities to develop cooperation in agriculture and agricultural processing.

The Chamber was represented by Nurlan Zhanbatyrov, Member of the Management Board and Chief of Staff. The Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan was represented by Bauyrzhan Akhmetayev, Deputy Director of the Department of Agribusiness and Food Industry, and Serik Musayev, Deputy Director of the Department of Customs Administration.

The Libyan delegation included Mohamed Mustafa Hosni, Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of Libya; Mustafa Mohamed Abushaala, a representative of the Ministry’s Department of International Cooperation; and Abubaker G. A. Abubaker, Deputy Ambassador of the State of Libya.

Participants discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in agribusiness, including agricultural production and processing. The Libyan side presented information about the country’s producers and opportunities to export their products to Kazakhstan. Particular attention was given to supplying Kazakh agricultural products, including grain, to the Libyan market.

Nurlan Zhanbatyrov highlighted the positive trend in bilateral trade and stressed the need to expand direct contacts between businesses in the two countries.

“In 2025, trade between Kazakhstan and Libya reached USD 1.23 million, a 4.2-fold increase compared with the previous year. However, current trade figures do not fully reflect the potential of our economies. The Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan stands ready to facilitate direct B2B dialogue, help identify partners and support joint projects,” said Nurlan Zhanbatyrov.

Promising areas of cooperation include supplies of Kazakh grain, oilseeds, flour and other processed agricultural products, as well as increased imports of Libyan fruit and vegetables, including fresh and dried fruit. Participants noted that establishing regular trade would require further work on logistics routes, delivery times and costs, veterinary and phytosanitary requirements, and reliable payment mechanisms.

Bauyrzhan Akhmetayev drew attention to opportunities to export Kazakh meat products. He noted that, amid growing demand for lamb in the Middle East, air transport enables the rapid delivery of chilled meat while preserving its freshness. According to him, developing supplies to Libya would require work on logistics support and coordination between the relevant authorities, particularly regarding air cargo services. He also emphasised Kazakhstan’s considerable potential to increase meat production. New livestock projects and greater use of pasture resources offer opportunities to expand output and reach new export markets.

The Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan expressed its readiness to facilitate regular exchanges of commercial proposals between Kazakh producers and Libyan importers, organise targeted B2B meetings, including online, and provide advisory and organisational support for business cooperation.