The meeting was initiated by the Polish party. It concerned mainly the ban on the import of apples from selected third countries, including Poland, introduced by the authorities of Kazakhstan. It was also an opportunity to discuss the condition of bilateral relations in the field of agriculture.

The discussions were also attended by the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Bogusław Wijatyk and the President of the Polish Fruit Growers Association Mirosław Maliszewski.

About the ban on the import

Deputy Minister Kołodziejczak stressed the interest of the Polish party in the further development of partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation with Kazakhstan in the field of agriculture. Referring to the decision of the authorities of Kazakhstan of 8 October 2024, introducing a restriction on the import of apples from, inter alia, Poland, he stressed that that action was inconsistent with international law, including the rules of the World Trade Organisation or the agreement between the EU and Kazakhstan on the enhanced partnership and cooperation.

Position of Polish fruit growers

President Maliszewski, representing the Polish industry of apple producers, expressed his resentment at the ban imposed by Kazakhstan. He reminded that Polish fruit growers had supported their Kazakh partners in creating orchards in Kazakhstan and shared with them their knowledge about the practices of modern fruit growing. Polish apple producers hope that the export of these fruit to Kazakhstan will be resumed soon.

About regionalisation

The Polish party also presented other demands regarding access to the Kazakh market for Polish agri-food products.

– We hope that the restrictions on the import of poultry meat and pork and their products from Poland due to avian influenza (HPAI) and African swine fever (ASF) will be lifted. Recognition by Kazakhstan of the principle of regionalisation in relation to HPAI and ASF would contribute to strengthening our relations and stabilising trade – stressed the Secretary of State Michał Kołodziejczak

Position of the Kazakh party

– The decision on introducing the ban has been made by the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan so as to protect the interests of Kazakh apple producers – said Ambassador Kirabayev.

The diplomat explained that Kazakhstan had had a very large harvest of apples in that season. The development of the Kazakh fruit industry was also supported by the national support in the form of subsidies and credit facilities.

The Ambassador informed that he would provide the authorities in Astana with the request of the Polish party to lift the import ban as soon as possible and Polish demands regarding animal products. At the same time, he announced that the restrictions on the import of apples would not be extended (the ban is to apply until 31 December 2024).

Trade in agri-food products with Kazakhstan

In 2023, we exported to Kazakhstan agricultural goods worth EUR 103.4 million. Apples are one of the most important items in the Polish agri-food export to Kazakhstan. Poland is the main supplier of apples to Kazakhstan from among the EU countries. In addition to the products from the group: apples, pears and quinces, last year we exported, inter alia, other processed, preserved and frozen vegetables; bread, pastry, cakes and cookies.

On 13-15 November 2024, the National Support Centre for Agriculture is organising the Polish stand at the Food Expo fair in Almaty.