Kazakhstan and South Korea have agreed to implement a joint investment project to establish canned meat production in Kazakhstan, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration.
The agreement was reached during the Kazakhstan–Korea Business Forum in Almaty, which brought together more than 200 business representatives from the two countries. The South Korean delegation included representatives of around 100 companies, including the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA). The canned meat production facility will be located in Kazakhstan, with Samsar Investment representing the Kazakh side. The two parties plan to invest a combined $1.3mn in the project.
Several supply agreements were also reached during the forum. Kazakhstan is expected to export 1,000 tonnes of beef worth $13mn to South Korea. Samsar Investment will also supply 3,000 tonnes of refined sunflower oil per month. Overall, commercial documents worth $54.8mn were signed during the business forum.
The meeting followed Kazakhstan’s participation in the Korea Import Expo 2026 in Seoul, where 15 Kazakh companies presented agricultural and food products to South Korean businesses. Trade turnover between Kazakhstan and South Korea reached $3.17bn in 2025, up 1.3% from $3.13bn in 2024. In January–June 2026, bilateral trade amounted to $1.3bn, while Kazakhstan’s exports to South Korea increased by 17.2%.
Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aidar Abildabekov identified South Korea as an important trade partner and noted the need to increase exports of finished products and goods with higher added value. The forum also included an exhibition of Kazakh products. Domestic meat products, including beef and lamb dishes presented by Terra from Merke, were showcased as part of the event.
