Kazakhstan is taking steps to systematize and expand its fruit and vegetable exports by introducing international quality standards under the OECD Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables. A seminar titled "OECD Scheme for the Promotion of Export Trade in Fruit and Vegetables" was recently held in Shymkent, organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Ministry of Trade and Integration, QazTrade, and local agricultural authorities of Shymkent and the Turkestan region.
During the event, participants visited greenhouses in the Sairam district, where they exchanged expertise in cultivation, grading, quality assessment, maturity evaluation, storage, labeling, and export preparation. International experts demonstrated quality evaluation techniques and inspection methods for over 50 agribusiness representatives, focusing on melon standards as a case study.
According to QazTrade, Kazakhstan exported 29,600 tonnes of melons worth USD 7.3 million in 2024, mainly to Russia (60%) and Belarus (32%). While the figures confirm strong competitiveness in terms of price and quality, the export geography remains narrow, leaving the sector heavily reliant on a few markets.
"If Kazakhstan adopts the OECD Scheme, it will unlock access to new international markets, not only neighboring countries but also Europe and the Middle East," said Nurlan Kulbatyrov, Deputy Director General of QazTrade. "These regions expect transparent standards for quality, packaging, and labeling. This step is especially important for greenhouse producers in southern Kazakhstan, where most tomato and vegetable production is concentrated. It will also allow producers to sell branded, high-quality products rather than raw materials, achieving better prices."
Experts note that by systematically implementing OECD quality and safety standards, Kazakhstan can not only increase export volume and value but also reduce dependence on a limited number of trading partners.
Source: zhaik.su
