Translated with AI
The countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) possess significant agricultural potential, and in recent years, the creation of a common agricultural market and deepening mutual cooperation have become high on the agenda. The countries are committed to joint efforts to ensure food security, integrate industries, and open up new market opportunities.
CIS: A Step Towards a Single Market
In today's global geoeconomic environment, interdependence between states is taking on new significance not only in terms of resources, but also in terms of technology and market size. From this perspective, the need for deeper economic integration within the CIS is more pressing than ever.
Uncertainty in global markets, sanctions pressure, and disruptions in transport and logistics chains are prompting post-Soviet countries to return to closer economic cooperation. For example, restrictions on traditional transit routes between Europe and Asia have sharply increased interest in the "Central Eurasian Transport Corridor," which runs through Kazakhstan, Russia, and Azerbaijan. This route is becoming increasingly strategically important not only for industrial but also for agricultural trade.
In this regard, the CIS countries are currently working to implement the idea of creating a common agricultural market. This market is planned to ensure the free circulation of food products, seeds, fertilizers, technical equipment, and agricultural services. However, this process is not yet complete: there are differences in technical regulations, standards, and logistical norms. Therefore, at the 2023 Minsk summit, the heads of state supported the initiative to create a "Unified Platform for Food Security and Agro-Industrial Integration."
The essence of this initiative is to improve food supply chains, digitalize transport and customs procedures, and implement joint standards and a quality system. For example, in 2023, Russia and Uzbekistan launched the Agroexpress project in agro-industrial logistics, which enables the rapid delivery of over 200,000 tons of agricultural products annually. Such practical mechanisms form the initial stage of a common market model within the CIS.
Furthermore, negotiations are underway to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to agricultural trade, as well as to harmonize sanitary and veterinary requirements. A working group on the agro-industrial complex has been established under the CIS Economic Council to develop unified policies and regulations in this area. This, in turn, will strengthen the legal foundations for future integration.
In fact, the idea of a CIS common market is not only an economic project but also an important tool for ensuring political stability and food security. If countries can coordinate the use of their resources and market opportunities, this will create guarantees against sharp price fluctuations, product shortages, and logistical crises. Therefore, economic integration is seen not simply as a means of promoting trade, but as a key factor in the region's sustainable development.
Thus, the move toward a common CIS market is not simply a new economic format, but a strategic direction for each country, aimed at strengthening food security, developing innovation, and sustainable cooperation.
Agro-industrial potential is the basis for economic integration
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, in terms of their size, natural resources, and labor potential, constitute one of the largest agro-industrial zones in the world. CIS member states possess over 400 million hectares of agricultural land , of which approximately 100 million hectares are irrigated. This represents nearly 12% of all global arable land.
It is precisely these enormous opportunities that transform the agro-industrial complex into the main driver of economic integration, as it is closely linked not only to food security, but also to industry, transport, chemistry, and the service sector.
The domestic market of the CIS countries is of enormous importance—with a population of over 280 million , the total annual demand for food products is estimated at over $400 billion . Naturally, this creates significant opportunities for agricultural trade and the development of the processing industry within the region.
Each country has its own specifics and areas of specialization in the agricultural sector:
- Russia is the largest agricultural producer and exporter in the CIS. In 2024, the country maintained its leading position globally, exporting over 50 million tons of wheat . Approximately 12% of Russia's food exports go to the CIS market, and this figure is steadily growing.
- Kazakhstan is the region's "wheat country." The republic produces 15–17 million tons of grain annually, approximately 60% of which is exported to neighboring countries. In 2023, Kazakhstan exported 6.3 million tons of wheat , more than half of which went to Uzbekistan.
- Uzbekistan is a leader in agricultural product diversification. For the past seven years, the country has ranked first in the region in exports of fruits, vegetables, grapes, and melons. In 2024, Uzbekistan's fruit and vegetable exports reached $1.2 billion , almost double the 2017 level.
- Belarus and Azerbaijan stand out as active partners in dairy production, poultry farming, and processing. In recent years, Belarus has supplied significant volumes of dairy products to the Russian and Kazakh markets.
Thus, each country's unique agricultural specialization creates the conditions for the development of a distributed labor system and a mutually complementary economic model. For example, Kazakhstan contributes through grain production, Uzbekistan through fruits and vegetables, Tajikistan through dairy products and livestock farming, and Russia and Belarus through processing and logistics infrastructure.
Over the past seven years, the volume of mutual agricultural trade between CIS countries has increased by 1.5 times . While the total agricultural trade turnover in 2017 was $25 billion , by 2024 this figure had reached $38 billion . The results of trade and economic cooperation are particularly noteworthy: agricultural trade between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan reached $1.7 billion , and with Russia it exceeded $3 billion —a clear demonstration of the practical success of regional integration.
The main driver of this growth was the implementation of new infrastructure and transport projects, such as Agroexpress , the Trans-Caspian Route, and logistics hubs . For example, the Agroexpress project established a system for food deliveries from Uzbekistan to Russia within 4-7 days , which not only significantly saved time but also reduced production costs by 15-20% .
Furthermore, the number of joint ventures in the agricultural sector has increased significantly. In the case of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan alone, over 100 joint agricultural companies were registered in 2024, operating in areas such as seed production, fertilizer production, technical services, and agricultural processing.
Another important aspect of the agricultural sector is its role in ensuring sustainable economic growth. Despite sanctions, rising energy prices, and transport restrictions, agriculture remains one of the most stable sectors in the CIS countries, demonstrating average annual GDP growth rates of 4.5% from 2020 to 2024. For example, during the pandemic, when industrial performance declined, agricultural production volumes, on the contrary, continued to grow.
These facts demonstrate that the agro-industrial complex is strategically important not only for economic stability but also as a source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and food security. This is why CIS countries define the agricultural sector in their economic strategies as a "driving force" for sustainable development .
The need to harmonize trade, technology and standards
Integration in the agro-industrial sector is not limited to trade alone; it encompasses the entire value chain, from the trading system to scientific innovation. Therefore, for the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), ensuring harmonization in trade, technology, and standards is a crucial factor in the formation of a common market.
Today, each country has its own national standards system, but unified technical regulations are necessary for the free circulation of agricultural products. For example, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus have already unified standards for food products, seeds, and fertilizers within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Now, plans are underway to extend this experience to the entire CIS.
In 2024, the CIS Economic Council developed a draft "System for Mutual Recognition of Agricultural Certificates." According to this draft, a hygiene or quality certificate issued in one country will be valid in other member states. This will expedite export and import transactions and reduce unnecessary customs costs.
The harmonization of sanitary and phytosanitary standards in livestock farming, seed production, and fertilizer production is particularly important. Currently, there are over 15 different national standards , many of which differ significantly from each other. Therefore, a unified register of CIS agricultural standards is planned for creation by 2025 , which will be an important step toward unifying requirements and facilitating mutual trade.
Digital transformation and upgrading of trading systems
In the agricultural sector, the introduction of digital technologies is ushering in a new era of integration and collaboration. Digital transformation plays a key role not only in production but also in trade, logistics, and product traceability.
Leading CIS countries—Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan—tested the AgroDigital CIS platform in 2023. This system enables the use of electronic invoices, product traceability, and automation of trade transactions. Thus, all data—from farmer to end consumer—is stored in a single digital space.
Uzbekistan is taking particularly active steps in this direction. The Agroplatforma system , developed in the country, already covers over 12,000 farms , providing real-time monitoring of trade turnover, logistics, and export processes. This experience is being considered a model for implementation in other CIS countries.
Another important area of agro-industrial integration is technology transfer and scientific cooperation . Currently, a number of countries are establishing joint research centers to implement innovations in seed production, agrochemicals, and the food industry.
For example, the Central Agro Hub research center was established between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Its main goal is to develop high-yielding varieties adapted to the region's climate and standardize their certification system. Furthermore, joint research in agricultural science and radiation technology is being conducted within the framework of the Russian Atom for Food program.
Furthermore, academic integration between CIS universities is developing. A joint master's program has been launched between Tashkent State Agrarian University and Kazakh National Agrarian University, laying the foundation for the future development of a common "agricultural educational space."
However, for successful integration processes, political agreements alone are not enough—modern infrastructure is essential. Therefore, CIS countries are taking steps to upgrade logistics centers and consolidate export hubs.
For example, the " AgroLogistic Hub Central Asia " center will be built in the Tashkent region in 2024. It will provide storage, processing, and redistribution of products from all CIS countries. In Kazakhstan, the " Turkistan – AgroHub " project has been launched, serving as a transit hub for access to markets in South Asia and the Caucasus.
The implementation of such projects helps shorten trade chains, maintain product quality, and stabilize prices. As a result, the common agricultural market in the CIS will begin to function not on a "market-to-market" basis, but rather on a "farmer-to-consumer" model, increasing the efficiency and transparency of the entire agricultural industry.
Harmony in trade, technology, and standards is the foundation of a common agricultural market in the CIS. If convergence in these areas continues systematically, five priority outcomes can be expected in the region in the future:
- Free movement of food products;
- Guaranteeing product quality according to a single standard;
- Transparent and fast transactions through the digital trading system;
- Rapid spread of scientific and technological innovations;
- General development of infrastructure.
As a result, the agro-industrial sector will not only ensure economic growth, but will also further unite the CIS countries as a single economic space.
Uzbekistan's Experience: The Path to a Sustainable Agricultural System
Over the past seven years, Uzbekistan's agricultural reforms have been recognized as some of the most ambitious and systemic in the CIS. These transformations are based not only on principles of economic efficiency but also on sustainable development, food security, and the rational use of resources.
Structural changes in Uzbekistan's agriculture began in 2017. State plans and quotas were abolished, allowing farmers to freely operate under market conditions. The reforms primarily affected cotton and grain production.
Since 2019, farmers have begun to specialize not only in cotton and wheat but also in more profitable areas—vegetables, fruits, poultry, and livestock. This diversification has ensured the sustainability of the agricultural sector and reduced production risks.
In 2021, the state purchase price for grain was abolished and a market pricing mechanism was introduced.
