A major agricultural initiative valued at $20 million is underway in Kazakhstan, where the country’s first olive plantations have been established. By 2025, the total cultivated area is expected to reach 100 hectares. Laying the Groundwork for Investment Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture, Aidarbek Saparov, recently met with George Svanidze, President of Global Olive Corporation, to discuss the ongoing implementation of the olive cultivation and olive oil production project. Launched in 2023, the project is a joint effort involving Kazakh companies QVM Technology, Ordabasy Group, and Ervira, in partnership with Georgia’s Olive Georgia. Initial pilot plantations were established in the Zhetysu, Turkestan, and Mangistau regions, where over 6,000 olive seedlings were planted, an effort that achieved a remarkable 99.7% survival rate. From Pilot Plantings to Industrial Production In spring 2024, the project expanded with new seedlings imported from Spain and Turkey. By the end of 2025, the cultivated area is expected to reach 100 hectares, with the first harvest anticipated within five years. Saparov emphasized the strategic value of the initiative, which aligns with Kazakhstan’s broader efforts to expand its food processing industry: “Our goal is to increase the share of processed agricultural products to 70%. The development of the olive industry is strategically important for the agro-industrial complex. We are committed to providing comprehensive support for this project,” Saparov said. Target: One Million Trees and Domestic Oil Production George Svanidze outlined ambitious plans to establish a sustainable olive industry in Kazakhstan, including planting up to one million olive trees, constructing a modern olive oil production facility, and setting up a nursery for seedling propagation. “We are ready to bring in international experts, train Kazakhstani agronomists, and share advanced technologies,” said Svanidze. According to preliminary estimates, annual yields could reach 150,000 tons of olives, enabling the production of up to 30,000 tons of olive oil. Kazakh partner QVM Technology confirmed the Ministry of Agriculture’s active support for the project. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and the preparation of a Road Map outlining the key implementation stages. Exotic Crops on Kazakh Soil Kazakhstan has previously experimented with cultivating non-native crops. In Turkestan region, bananas are grown successfully on a five-hectare plantation, yielding around 1,000 tons. Local authorities are also supporting efforts to expand tropical fruit cultivation, including mangoes and avocados, on a planned 90-hectare site. These initiatives reflect Kazakhstan’s commitment to modernizing its agricultural sector, diversifying crop production, and enhancing both food security and export potential.
