In a significant development highlighting international trade relations, Kazakhstan has identified Morocco as a key market for its grain exports and a vital strategic entry point into North and West Africa. This assertion was made by Asylkhan Dzhuvashev, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan's National Company Food Contract Corporation (Prodcorporation), during the inaugural meeting of the Kazakhstan–Morocco Business Council held in Casablanca. Dzhuvashev emphasized that Morocco represents not only a lucrative market for Kazakh grain but also a crucial logistics and trade hub that can enhance Kazakhstan's presence in the African continent while fostering cooperation with international traders, processing firms, and distribution networks.
At this pivotal meeting, Dzhuvashev provided insights into Kazakhstan's agricultural capabilities and the essential role of the Food Contract Corporation as the nation's primary grain operator. He highlighted the impressive achievement of Kazakh agricultural producers, who are currently exporting their products to over 80 countries around the globe. Over the past two years, Kazakhstan has recorded substantial grain harvests, culminating in a remarkable export of 15.3 million tons of grain and flour in the previous agricultural season. The country's export destinations have broadened significantly, encompassing markets in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
One of the notable success stories of this bilateral cooperation is the export of wheat to Morocco. In May 2025, the Food Contract Corporation successfully dispatched its inaugural shipment of food-grade wheat to Moroccan clients, contributing to a total of 161,800 tons of grain exports to Morocco, which illustrates a robust demand for Kazakh agricultural products.
Furthermore, investment cooperation was a key topic of discussion, with Kazakhstan expressing a keen interest in attracting Moroccan investments into agricultural deep-processing initiatives. Both nations acknowledged the potential for additional collaboration stemming from their shared commitment to enhancing agricultural technologies and advancing the food industry, thereby strengthening food security.
During the business council's proceedings, representatives from the Food Contract Corporation also engaged with management from OCP Nutricrops, a subsidiary of the renowned OCP Group, one of the leading phosphate fertilizer manufacturers globally. This meeting provided a platform to explore future cooperation and the implementation of joint projects that could benefit both countries.
According to the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture, Morocco stands as Kazakhstan's largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade witnessing a remarkable increase of 68% in 2025, reaching $461.5 million. The first four months of 2026 saw a further 58% growth in trade turnover, amounting to $167.6 million. Kazakhstan's exports to Morocco predominantly feature sulfur and agricultural products such as wheat, flaxseed, oilseeds, and legumes.
Morocco, which annually imports approximately 7 million tons of grain, relies heavily on suppliers from the European Union, Canada, and the United States. However, Kazakhstan has successfully positioned itself as a prominent grain exporter to the Moroccan market and is poised to further enhance its agricultural exports to the North African region.
As reported by trend.az.
