Tehran – Iran is seeking to strengthen the North–South transit corridor, particularly through Kazakhstan, by positioning agricultural products at the center of regional trade, according to the acting head of International Affairs at the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

Speaking at a meeting with senior Foreign Ministry officials, Hassan Momeni said Iran exported $214 million worth of goods to Kazakhstan during the first ten months of the Iranian year 1404, including $128 million in agricultural products. Imports from Kazakhstan totaled $47 million, of which $33 million were agricultural commodities.

 

He noted that agricultural products account for nearly 80% of Iran’s imports from Kazakhstan, underscoring the growing role of the North–South corridor in supporting food security and agricultural trade.

 

Momeni added that bilateral trade between Iran and Kazakhstan has increased by 66% over the past two years. He also highlighted new opportunities created by the Iran–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement, which has eliminated tariffs on most Iranian exports to member states.

 

The official further emphasized the importance of extraterritorial farming in Kazakhstan, noting that Iran recently imported 100,000 tons of agricultural products, including barley and oil-related products, from Iranian farming projects in the country.

 

During the meeting, officials also discussed expanding agricultural cooperation with other Eurasian states, including Armenia and Azerbaijan, and promoting Iranian exports of veterinary and human vaccines, serums, and agricultural pesticides.