TECHNOLOGICAL MODERNISATION OF THE AGRO-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX: AGROWORLD AND COLDCHAIN QAZAQSTAN 2026 BROUGHT TOGETHER GLOBAL SOLUTION PROVIDERS AND DOMESTIC AGRIBUSINESS IN ALMATY

FROM 28 TO 30 OCTOBER 2026, IN ALMATY, AT THE ATAKENT IEC, THE 20TH CENTRAL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION “AGRICULTURE” AGROWORLD QAZAQSTAN AND THE 10TH CENTRAL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION “COLD STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION AND COLD CHAIN SERVICES” COLDCHAIN QAZAQSTAN WERE HELD.

Once again, the two industry platforms brought together manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural and agro-industrial equipment and technologies, government representatives, agribusiness professionals, enterprises and agricultural holdings, farms, industry experts and international partners from more than 25 countries, creating a space for professional dialogue, experience sharing and the development of new business connections.

For more than 20 years, the exhibitions have remained leading international platforms in the southern region for showcasing agricultural innovations, advancing the industry, promoting international cooperation and attracting investment.

Over the three days, the international exhibitions welcomed 2,310 unique visitors holding senior management positions in the industry. The total number of visits amounted to 5,412.

This year, 209 companies and organisations were represented at the exhibition venue, including 55 Kazakhstani and 154 international companies. For 79 companies, the exhibitions served as a debut platform for presenting their products and solutions to a professional audience. The geographical reach of the exhibitors covered 22 countries: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Germany, Georgia, India, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Canada, China, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Serbia, the USA, Türkiye, Uzbekistan and South Korea. National pavilions were presented by Georgia, the Netherlands and South Korea. In addition, regional stands from St. Petersburg and Chelyabinsk were organised, showcasing the export and technological potential of Russian manufacturers.

An important part of the exhibitions was the AgriFORUM business programme, which brought together experts and industry representatives to discuss technological changes, investment opportunities and current challenges facing the agro-industrial complex.

On 28 October, the programme opened with a plenary session entitled “Digital Transformation of the Agro-Industrial Sector: Technologies Changing Agribusiness”. Participants explored the role of digital tools in improving agricultural production efficiency and developing industry enterprises.

The highlight of the first day, which attracted a full house in the pavilion, was the strategic session “Women in AgroBusiness: Women Who Grow Businesses and Transform the Agricultural Sector”. The session featured personal experiences of female leadership and entrepreneurship, success stories and innovations in the agricultural sector, as well as discussions on the role of women in developing agribusiness. At the conclusion, in recognition of the UN-declared 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer, the exhibition organisers presented commemorative awards and honorary diplomas to the session participants in recognition of their contributions and achievements in the agricultural sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

This was followed by a panel discussion entitled “An Apple Orchard as an Investment: Where to Start, How Much It Costs and When It Pays Off”, during which participants examined the key aspects of establishing an orchard business. Sustainable development and the climate agenda were the focus of the session “From the Field to a Carbon Unit: Climate Economics in Kazakhstan’s Agricultural Sector”. International experience and export prospects were presented at the presentation meeting “Made in St. Petersburg. Made Smart. Export Potential and Technological Innovations in the Agro-Industrial Complex”, which explored opportunities for promoting products and modern solutions in new markets.

On 29 October, the programme continued with practical events bringing together industry practitioners, farmers, farm managers, investors, veterinarians and manufacturers. The Farmers’ School, entitled “Efficient Livestock Farming: Feed, Animal Health and High Productivity”, presented modern technologies for organising livestock and poultry enterprises, innovations in animal feeding and housing, and new approaches to improving farm productivity, among other topics.

This was followed by a presentation of the Poultry Forward Kazakhstan programme, developed with the participation of the Aeres Training Centre, Wageningen University & Research and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The focus was on the best practices and opportunities offered by Dutch vocational education for professionals in the poultry industry.

The discussion on the development of horticulture continued during the panel session “From Orchard to Shelf: Variety Policy, Storage, Packaging and Apple Sales”. Participants examined the interconnection between production and product promotion stages, from variety selection to storage and marketing.

The exhibition's business programme concluded with the panel session “From Project to Deal: How to Attract a Foreign Investor”, dedicated to capital attraction and opportunities for international cooperation.

Traditionally, the exhibitions also hosted expo tours involving representatives of the public sector and heads of industry associations, agribusiness delegations from Kazakhstan, as well as representatives from the Kyrgyz Republic and Almaty Region. Among the distinguished guests and exhibition participants were Levan Diasamidze, Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Ari Veldhuizen, Agricultural Attaché of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The practical value of the exhibitions was reflected not only in the technologies presented and the business programme but also in the experiences of the participants themselves. For manufacturers and suppliers, the exhibitions provide an opportunity to communicate directly with potential customers, assess market demand and find partners for further business development:

“Our objectives and participation in the exhibition were fully justified. We managed to reach a large number of agreements and establish new connections, so we are quite satisfied with the results. There is genuinely strong interest from visitors. We brought innovative solutions in the fields of animal feeding and livestock farming, and our products attracted interest from visitors and representatives of agricultural enterprises”, shared Sergey Avilov, Deputy Director for Business Development and Sales in Kazakhstan, Nutrimax LTD.

Visitors also had the opportunity to explore new developments, compare manufacturers’ offerings and obtain up-to-date information to address their professional needs:

“We believe that holding such exhibitions plays an important role in the development of agriculture in Kazakhstan, including poultry and livestock farming. Events of this kind bring together participants from different countries, help them find business partners, establish new contacts and exchange experience. Therefore, their importance for the development of the industry is considerable”, said Nursеrik Sultanbek, LIGIN.

From the initial stages of production to preserving product quality on its journey to the consumer, the development of the agro-industrial complex depends on solutions that operate as part of an integrated chain. It was precisely at the intersection of these areas that AgroWorld Qazaqstan and ColdChain Qazaqstan brought together manufacturers, technology suppliers and industry experts, demonstrating how modern developments, professional expertise and international cooperation can create new opportunities for agribusiness.

The exhibitions were held with the official support of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Almaty City Akimat, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken" of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Union of Poultry Farmers of Kazakhstan, the Association of Horticulturists of the Almaty Region, the Association for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Sector of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The exhibitions were organised by Kazakhstan Exhibition Company Iteca and its international partner, ICA Events Group of Companies.