Kazakhstan’s food industry continues to expand production amid rising investment in agricultural processing. According to figures provided by the organisers of FoodExpo Qazaqstan, the country’s food production grew by 8.4% in 2025, while beverage production increased by 9.7%. In the first half of 2026, food production rose by 14.7% compared with the same period of the previous year.
The industry’s growth has been accompanied by the implementation of investment projects. In 2025, Kazakhstan commissioned 53 processing projects with a combined value of KZT 120.4 billion. According to the exhibition’s press release, fixed capital investment in the sector exceeded KZT 389 billion in January-April 2026, more than doubling year on year.
The organisers also report that exports of processed agricultural products reached USD 3.6 billion, accounting for 51.4% of total agricultural sector exports. The reference period for these figures is not specified in the original data.
These figures provide the backdrop for the upcoming international exhibition FoodExpo Qazaqstan 2026, which will take place in Almaty from 11 to 13 November. The exhibition will cover not only finished food products but also equipment, ingredients, packaging, processing technologies and production management solutions.
More than 600 companies from 35 countries
According to the organisers, the 28th Central Asian International Food Industry Exhibition will bring together more than 600 companies from 35 countries. For the first time, the exhibition area will exceed 15,000 square metres, occupying five pavilions at the Atakent Exhibition Centre.
One of the distinguishing features of this year’s event will be the expanded presence of manufacturers and suppliers from Asian countries. Companies from China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Japan and other countries in the region are expected to participate.
The Chinese exhibition area will feature more than 100 companies showcasing food products, ingredients, production equipment and packaging solutions. A separate section will focus on halal products, with companies from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore participating in a dedicated exhibition area for the first time.
European participation will primarily consist of technology and equipment suppliers from Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and other countries.
The Polish exhibition area will include a national stand featuring food and beverage producers, organised with the support of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and KOWR, as well as companies offering ingredients, packaging and equipment.
Countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and Central Asia will also be represented through collective and national exhibition stands. Participants will include companies from 21 regions of Russia, more than 20 manufacturers from Kyrgyzstan, and enterprises from Belarus, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
The exhibition will therefore bring together suppliers of finished products and manufacturing solutions from several regions, all seeking to develop trade relations with the Kazakhstani market.
Food processing and production technologies take centre stage
One of the key areas of FoodExpo Qazaqstan 2026 will be equipment for the food industry and agricultural processing.
In Pavilion 11, the organisers will establish a dedicated technology exhibition area featuring solutions for the meat and dairy industries, bottling lines, bakery and confectionery equipment, food ingredients and packaging technologies.
The announced ingredient suppliers include Allwin, Rustark, Progast, CIS Market, Bart and other companies. Bakery and confectionery equipment will be presented by Gummi, Adil, Neos, Rodals, Favorit Techno, Food Tekhnika and other manufacturers.
The introduction of a dedicated technology pavilion reflects the exhibition’s expanding scope. Alongside finished food products, the organisers are placing greater emphasis on production processes, processing technologies and industrial equipment.
For Kazakhstan, this agenda is closely linked to the development of its food processing industry and efforts to increase the share of value-added products in the agricultural sector.
Retail, artificial intelligence and digitalisation of production
In 2026, FoodExpo Qazaqstan will host the Food Business Forum for the first time, providing a professional platform for discussing developments in the food industry, FMCG and retail.
The forum will be held in partnership with INFOLine, an information and consulting agency specialising in market monitoring and industry research.
On 11 November, participants will discuss the food markets of Kazakhstan and Central Asia, developments in FMCG retail, retail chain requirements and practical aspects of bringing products to market.
AI & Digital Food Day, scheduled for 12 November, will focus on the application of artificial intelligence and digital tools in the food industry.
The programme will cover business process automation, the use of AI systems, and the management of logistics, sales and product assortments.
The inclusion of digital solutions in the business programme will provide an opportunity to examine technological development in the industry not only in terms of production equipment but also through the organisation and management of business processes.
International cooperation and regional market development
The upcoming exhibition will bring together several areas of importance to Kazakhstan’s food industry: product diversification, the development of processing capabilities, the supply of production equipment and cooperation with international trading partners.
The announced geographical diversity of participants indicates foreign manufacturers’ interest in the Kazakhstani market. However, the actual economic impact of their participation will depend on subsequent commercial agreements and the implementation of specific projects.
FoodExpo Qazaqstan 2026 will take place from 11 to 13 November at the Atakent Exhibition Centre (Pavilions 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11) in Almaty.
The event is officially supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Almaty City Administration, the Union of Poultry Farmers of Kazakhstan, KAGiR, UCIMA and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Atameken.
The exhibition is organised by the Kazakhstani company Iteca in cooperation with its international partner ICA Events Group.
For free admission, visitors can register on the official website at https://foodexpo.kz using the promo code WFKEURAS26
