China lifts ban on importing Kazakhstani poultry that lasted 19 years

According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, the Chinese authorities have lifted a 19-year ban on poultry imports from Kazakhstan. China has also removed restrictions it imposed on Kazakhstani meat products due to the risk of foot and mouth disease.

«Thanks to the move, farmers from Southern and Eastern regions of Kazakhstan will be able to restart exports of frozen pork and beef as well as a wide range of poultry products to China,» the agency said in a statement.

China stopped importing Kazakhstani poultry products in 2005, while foot and mouth disease restrictions were imposed in 2022.

Now, Kazakhstani authorities want to launch negotiations on veterinary requirements with Chinese counterparts to expand the assortment of agricultural products eligible for exports. They also plan to expand the list of Kazakhstani companies allowed to export their products to China.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese specialists were assessing the risks of bird flu and foot and mouth disease in Kazakhstan throughout all of last year.

In mid-January 2024, Russia also lifted restrictions on imports of agricultural products from Kazakhstan after a two-year ban. The move followed the arrangements the two countries reached in December 2023.

In the same month, Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliyev told journalists that there’s the risk of a shortage of poultry in the country, although it’s not that big.