Sylvain Guiaugue: Kazakhstan as a Promising Agricultural Hub in the Region

Mr. Ambassador, how do you assess the current state of cooperation between France and Kazakhstan in the field of agriculture? Which areas are currently the most dynamic?

— France and Kazakhstan have close ties in the field of agriculture. In terms of bilateral trade in agriculture, the turnover amounts to about 92 million euros. France supplies dairy products, grain, and agrochemicals to Kazakhstan. Several leading French companies have been operating in Kazakhstan for a long time, especially in the field of seed production and dairy products. French varieties of corn and sunflower are gaining popularity among Kazakhstani farmers.

Today, livestock is developing most dynamically: new projects are emerging in this area, and French companies consider Kazakhstan a promising market. Crop production is also showing growing interest: new companies are exploring Kazakhstan's potential as an agro-industrial hub in Central Asia.

French agriculture is characterized by a high level of technology, sustainability, and quality. Which French companies are interested in working in Kazakhstan or are already implementing projects in the country?

— I can briefly talk about the development of the FASEP project, implemented by the Livestock Summit in collaboration with the National Agrarian Science and Education Center (NANOC), with financial support fr om the French Ministry of Finance. The project aims to provide technical assistance for the joint development of livestock and crop production on farms wh ere both sectors coexist.

An expert team of five specialists provides farmers in the northern regions of Kazakhstan with competencies in seed production, cattle and sheep genetics, artificial insemination, and manure management. Within the project, about 40 French companies in all areas, from seeds to artificial insemination equipment for cows, work together with the expert team and farms in the region to increase their productivity.

In the context of climate change, it is especially important to transfer technologies and know-how to farmers based on the principles of sustainable agriculture. This project is a vivid testament to the high level of interest of French companies in working in the Kazakhstani market.

Dairy farming is one of the strategic directions for the development of Kazakhstan's agribusiness. What opportunities do you see for deepening cooperation between our countries in this area?

— Dairy farming plays a key role in the development of Kazakhstan's agribusiness. French companies Lactalis and Danone have long been present in the Kazakhstani market and have significant experience working with local farmers, including in the Pavlodar, Turkestan, and Almaty regions. This cooperation is especially important as it accompanies the modernization of dairy farms and processing enterprises.

France is the second-largest milk producer in the EU. We have developed production of products from cow, goat, and sheep milk. The sector is export-oriented: about 40% of the products are sent to foreign markets. The demand for French cheeses and yogurts is particularly high in China, the Far East countries, and the Persian Gulf.

We see significant potential for deepening cooperation in the dairy sector: in dairy cattle genetics, feed base production, milk hygiene and veterinary safety, as well as in expanding the range of dairy products in the Kazakhstani market.

Today, Kazakhstan is actively modernizing its feed base and livestock infrastructure. Which French solutions or technologies could be most in demand in the Kazakhstani market?

— The feed base is a crucial factor in increasing the productivity of dairy farms. The cost of milk largely depends on the cost of feed. Quality rations allow farmers to significantly increase the milk yield of dairy cows.

French companies such as Idena and MG2MIX offer Kazakhstani farms solutions for animal feeding — in the form of concentrates and premixes — not only for cattle but also for poultry, horse breeding, sheep farming, and aquaculture.

For productivity improvement, pastures and own feed production are of key importance. In France, at least 40% of a dairy cow's diet consists of pasture grass, and about 35% is corn silage.

In the context of frequent droughts in France, the role of alternative crops such as sorghum is growing. French seed companies for corn and sorghum are actively working in Kazakhstan and can play a significant role in modernizing the feed base. The FASEP project in the farms of the Akmola region also helps farmers adjust unbalanced rations. The activities of organizations such as the French National Federation of Corn and Sorghum Seed Producers are important as they try to unlock the potential of growing such crops in Kazakhstan and their beneficial use in cattle diets.

Milk processing and creating products with high added value are important tasks for the country. What examples of successful cooperation or potential for interaction could you highlight here?

— Given the high cost of raw materials, processing milk into products with high added value is a priority. The demand for dairy products in Kazakhstan is indeed high and comparable to the demand in France and other European countries. Demographic growth and sustainable economic development create favorable conditions for the industry.

Companies Lactalis and Danone, which have been operating in the Kazakhstani market for a long time, demonstrate successful experience in milk processing.

Kazakhstan's potential in cheese production is high. The demand for cheese products in Kazakhstan has grown significantly in recent years, accompanied by an increase in imports. In September of this year, we accompanied a delegation of 15 Kazakhstani cheese makers to the Mondial du Fromage in the city of Tours — the largest cheese fair in the world. Kazakhstani cheese makers from different regions won six medals, including three gold ones.

This development shows that the industry is undergoing deep positive changes that can contribute to further diversification of dairy production. Strengthening processing increases Kazakhstan's food security and increases the share of products with high added value.

Many farmers note a shortage of qualified personnel. What cooperation is possible in the direction of training, exchanging experience, and enhancing the competencies of specialists in dairy farming?

— The education system plays a key role in increasing the attractiveness of agricultural professions. In France, a network of agricultural lyceums and agrarian universities trains specialists in a wide range of areas — from agronomy and mechanization to veterinary science. Today, new professions are also emerging: biogas plant management engineer, agrovoltaic station operator, and others.

Kazakhstan has declared 2025 the Year of Vocational Professions. Within the framework of cooperation, we pay special attention to strengthening ties between universities in France and Kazakhstan, developing student mobility, and Erasmus+ programs.

Working with agrarian colleges is also important: they are closest to the farms and play a key role in the life of rural areas.

Within the framework of the FASEP project, two French agrarian colleges will host three young students from Kazakhstan, who will spend three months in French agricultural colleges, immersing themselves in practice-oriented training and the life of the French countryside. This experience will allow young people to apply the knowledge gained for the benefit of Kazakhstan's rural economy.

What role do French government institutions and business associations, such as Business France or FranceAgriMer, play in supporting joint projects with Kazakhstan?

— These organizations help companies interested in entering the Kazakhstani market. In addition to Business France and FranceAgriMer, MEDEF International and the French-Kazakh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFK) play a significant role, regularly organizing business missions, allowing French companies to better understand the features of the Kazakhstani economy.

It is important to note the work of the Economic Service of the French Embassy, which provides daily support to French companies already present in the market or planning to export goods and services to Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan seeks to attract high-tech solutions for the agro-industrial complex. In which directions could France become a strategic partner — equipment, automation, genetics, digital systems?

— France can offer solutions in all these directions. As an example, we can mention the trip of Kazakhstani breeders and genetic specialists to the Livestock Summit in Clermont-Ferrand in October 2025 — one of the key European events on sustainable livestock farming.

In sheep farming, we note a high interest in French sheep breeds, such as Ile-de-France and Texel. In the field of cattle genetics and artificial insemination, there is also significant interest in French technologies.

Moreover, promising areas include the introduction of artificial intelligence in production processes — a trend that is actively developing in France and throughout Europe.

How do you see the prospects for bilateral cooperation in the next 5-10 years? What could become the driver of a new stage of interaction between Kazakhstan and France in the agricultural sector?

— Cooperation between France and Kazakhstan is likely to expand, emphasizing technologically saturated solutions, which should be accompanied by the transfer of know-how to agricultural producers. Agriculture is becoming increasingly knowledge-intensive and requires specialized competencies.

These solutions need to be adapted to the features of Kazakhstan's agricultural sector, including its vast territories. If in France farms over 1000 hectares are rare, for the northern regions of Kazakhstan this is a common practice.

The main driver of further cooperation will be the need for a joint response to the challenges of climate change: water resource scarcity, wind erosion, desertification. Working on these challenges can elevate bilateral cooperation to a new level.

The next Central Asian Dairy Congress AqAltyn will be held on November 30 - December 1, 2026, in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.

Learn more about AqAltyn 2026 and register via the LINK.