Kazakhstan has exported a consignment of rapeseed oil from the Caspian port of Aktau for the first time. The shipment was sent to Iran and marked an important step in strengthening the position of Kazakhstani oil and fat products in foreign markets, reports
Kazinform, a partner of TV BRICS, citing the republic’s Ministry of Agriculture.
According to the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA), 5,000 tonnes of rapeseed oil were shipped to Iran. Following the first vessel, a second was loaded with 5,000 tonnes of sunflower oil.
Experts note the promising prospects of the new Caspian export route. According to Yadykar Ibragimov, the Chairman of the Board of NOPA, the Iranian market holds significant potential for exports of Kazakhstani oil and fat products. Ibragimov adds that Iran’s annual imports of vegetable oils, meal and oilcake amount to around 3.5 million tonnes, of which 1.5 million tonnes are vegetable oils.
“Our countries share a border along the Caspian Sea, as well as a preferential customs regime under the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran. Over the past three years, Kazakhstani oil mills have exported over 100,000 tonnes of oil and fat products to Iran, 94 per cent of which were meal. The launch of vegetable oil transhipment via the port of Aktau will allow for a significant increase in supply volumes,” he emphasised.
According to NOPA estimates, it is potentially possible to ship 3–4 vessels per month via the port of Aktau, equivalent to 150,000–200,000 tonnes of vegetable oil per year. In the long term, the volume of vegetable oil and meal exports to Iran could exceed 500,000 tonnes annually.
It is expected that the launch of this new supply channel will help reduce the burden on key logistics routes and increase the sector’s foreign exchange earnings.
Iran had previously reported that it had imported 40,000 tonnes of oil via northern transport routes under a cross-border agricultural programme.