- Trade Resumption: Kazakhstan shipped over 15,000 tons of wheat to Vietnam in 2025, its first wheat export to the country in eight years.
- Logistics Upgrade: New multimodal logistics without container reloading cuts delivery time and costs for shipments to Southeast Asia.
- Diversification Drive: Kazakhstan plans to expand exports to Vietnam beyond wheat to flour, meat and dairy products, and oilseeds.
- Growth Target: Astana aims to double bilateral trade turnover with Vietnam by 2026, supported by a new Business Council framework.
- Market Impact: Neutral to slightly bullish for the Black Sea market as Kazakhstan diversifies outlets, though current volumes remain modest.
Kazakhstan-Vietnam Wheat Trade Resumes
Kazakhstan has successfully exported more than 15,000 tons of wheat to Vietnam in 2025, marking the first wheat shipment to the Southeast Asian country in eight years. This delivery represents a key step in Kazakhstan’s strategy to re-enter and expand within Southeast Asian grain markets.
The shipment used a direct combined multimodal logistics system that does not require container reloading, improving delivery times and lowering overall transport costs. This logistics upgrade enhances Kazakhstan’s competitiveness versus other Black Sea and regional suppliers into Vietnam and neighboring markets.
Broader Agricultural Expansion Plans
In bilateral talks between Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin and Vietnam’s Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, Kazakhstan outlined plans to broaden its export basket. Beyond wheat, Astana is targeting increased shipments of flour, meat and dairy products, and oilseeds to Vietnam.
Kazakhstan proposed accelerating negotiations on an Agreement on Cooperation in Veterinary Medicine, with the goal of signing it at the second meeting of the Subcommittee on Agriculture. This agreement would be a key regulatory prerequisite for expanding trade in animal products.
Trade Targets and Institutional Framework
Kazakhstan aims to double mutual trade turnover with Vietnam by 2026, building on the renewed grain flows and planned diversification into higher value-added products. A trade and economic mission is scheduled for mid-2020, and both sides intend to sign a memorandum to establish a Kazakh-Vietnamese Business Council this year.
Market Impact and Black Sea Context
The development is neutral to slightly bullish for the broader Black Sea grain market. By opening a viable route into Southeast Asia, Kazakhstan can redirect some volumes away from traditional outlets, potentially easing localized pressure in established Black Sea destinations.
However, the current 15,000-ton shipment is modest in scale and is unlikely to materially affect overall regional price dynamics in the near term. The long-term risk–reward profile is more meaningful: if Kazakhstan succeeds in building stable demand for wheat, flour, and other value-added products in Vietnam, it could underpin more predictable export flows and reduce volatility linked to single-market dependence.
Source: Market Data
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