Kazakhstan expands its exports of pork

Kazakhstani EMC Agro has exported 20 tons of frozen pork to Armenia and is looking into delivering the same amount of meat to Georgia. The Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan believes that new markets are going to increase the export share to potentially 50% of the total meat production.  

«Armenia and Georgia’s markets unlock new horizons. Both nations have expressed their willingness to acquire up to 400 tons of our product monthly,» the company said in a statement.

Previously, EMC Agro, whose current production capacity varies between 700 and 800 tons of pork per month, was focused on domestic sales. Now, it is interested in expanding its meat exports. For instance, the company is engaged in talks with China, the world’s largest consumer of pork. During the summer, representatives from the China Meat Association inspected the production facility and expressed interest in importing up to 20,000 tons of pork annually. EMC Agro is currently undergoing registration in China’s agricultural product supplier register.
 
The Kazakhstani company has the capacity to produce up to 20,000 tons of meat annually and 30,000 tons of finished products daily, establishing itself as a key player in the domestic meat market.
 
EMC Agro holders include KazFoodProducts, Baiterek Venture Fund (managed by the Baiterek National Holding through the Qazaqstan Investment Corporation) and AsiaAgroFood. AsiaAgroFood is controlled by KazFoodProducts and Aidarkhan Sarsembayev, while KazFoodProducts are owned by Yerlan Baimuratov (the majority stakeholder, according to Forbes), Aliya Balapanova, Yerik Balapanov, Samal Invest Group (the owners are Aidarkhan Sarsembayev, Timur Sadykov and Alikhan Talgatbek) and OSV Capital (held by the Talgatbek sons: Aldiyar and Alikhan Talgatbek).
 
As of May, Baimuratov was ranked 65th on Forbes’ list of the richest people in Kazakhstan. His net worth is estimated at $93 million, compared to $85 million in May 2022. The millionaire also controls majority stakes in Bayan Sulu and AsiaAgroFood through KazFoodProducts.