What to get right in exporting organic meat from Kazakhstan

By ITC News

ASTANA, Kazakhstan – As a small business in Kazakhstan looks to export organic meat, an ITC coach lays out why details like eco-friendly packaging can make a big difference.

Stolichnaya Trapeza has produced organic beef in Kazakhstan since 2018. They’re already among the top 15 producers in their category, without using any additives or genetically modified ingredients.

Now they’re looking at international markets. To get them ready, an ITC coach under the Ready4Trade Central Asia project spent five days assessing their operations and advising on next steps.

Stolichnaya Trapeza is well placed to grow, with strict compliance to food safety standards. Its livestock farms can raise up to 3,000 cattle, and its processing plant is equipped with European machinery.

But to learn more about the intricacies of international trade, the company’s management took part in the Ready4Trade Export Management Coaching Initiative.

During the five-day mission, the company told coach Ainur Tleuova that they see the Gulf states as attractive markets. With that goal in mind, Ainur advised them to research halal compliance and certification.

She also emphasized that these markets will expect biodegradable packaging, which the company will need to consider when transporting chilled meat.

That packaging also needs improved labelling to compete internationally. She proposed integrating standard operations procedures for periodic quality reviews, even when the company is not shipping, to solidify relations with their suppliers.

“Adherence to high standards in production, and work on improving export practices – that is what distinguishes Stolichnaya Trapeza and gives confidence in their potential for development,” Ainur said.

People who buy organic look for eco-friendly

The coaching inspired Stolichnaya Trapeza to upgrade its packaging to eco-friendly materials while preserving the highest product quality.

The lucrative meat products market craves suppliers of quality meats, and Kazakhstan can fill this void, bringing products to Uzbekistan, China, Iran and the Gulf states.

To cater for this expansion, the company is researching halal compliance certification.

“As part of the Export Management Coaching Initiative, our company acquired valuable knowledge on the packaging, labelling and promoting the export of its products to foreign markets, using the ITC Tool Portal for marketing,” said Aidar Nigmetov, director of Stolichnaya Trapeza.

“At the moment, the company is concluding agreements for the export of frozen beef to Uzbekistan. In the future it is planned to export premium chilled beef to China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.”

The Ready4Trade Central Asia project is a joint initiative of the European Union and the International Trade Centre. Its aim is to contribute to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by boosting intra-regional and international trade in the region. Beneficiaries of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project include governments, small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular women-led enterprises, and Business Support Organizations. The project operates in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.