EAEU Boosts Agricultural Exports through International Routes, Enhancing Kazakhstan’s Transit Potential
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) members are exploring new opportunities for expanding agricultural product transportation through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This discussion took place during the third Eurasian Economic Forum, held in Yerevan from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1. The INSTC serves as a crucial link connecting the EAEU with Iran, the Middle East, and other strategic markets.
The Eurasian Agroexpress project is at the forefront of efforts to boost agricultural product exports from EAEU member states to countries such as China, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and other nations in Southeast and Central Asia. Alevtina Kirillova, the general director of the Eurasian Agrologistics autonomous nonprofit organization, highlighted three key routes currently in operation as part of the Eurasian Agroexpress project. These routes include connections to China, the INSTC, and Central Asian states, and are in pilot mode to facilitate expanded agricultural trade in these regions.
Kirillova emphasized the progress being made in transporting grain and oil and fat products to Iran and other countries in the Middle East along the route. Tariff rates for railways in Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Iran have been agreed upon, with plans to increase production volumes to 200,000 tons per year by 2025.
In the past five years, agricultural exports from EAEU countries have more than doubled, surpassing $40 billion. Kirillova noted the rapid growth in exports to third countries and the positive impact of initiatives like the Eurasian Agroexpress project on fostering seamless trade flows within the union and with external markets. The EAEU member states are committed to enhancing agricultural product transportation and trade to further strengthen economic cooperation and partnerships in the region.
