INNOVATIONS, EXPORT, AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP: HOW THE FIRST DAY OF FOODEXPO QAZAQSTAN, QAZPACK, AND HOREX & CLEAN EXPO QAZAQSTAN 2025 WENT

TODAY, NOVEMBER 12, THE GRAND OPENING OF THREE OF THE LARGEST EXHIBITION EVENTS IN THE FOOD, PACKAGING, AND HORECA INDUSTRIES OF KAZAKHSTAN AND CENTRAL ASIA TOOK PLACE AT THE ATACENT EXHIBITION CENTER — FOODEXPO QAZAQSTAN 2025, QAZPACK 2025, AND HOREX & CLEAN EXPO QAZAQSTAN 2025.

The exhibition venue in Almaty brought together representatives from more than three dozen countries, confirming Kazakhstan's status as a key business center in Central Asia. The events traditionally take place under the aegis of regional business development and strengthening international partnerships, gathering industry leaders, experts, and government representatives under one roof.

The 27th International Food Industry Exhibition FoodExpo Qazaqstan 2025 brought together 412 companies from 34 countries. Among them are representatives from Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Egypt, India, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Korea, Latvia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, UAE, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, USA, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, South Korea, and Japan. Of the total participants, 151 companies represent Kazakhstan, and 261 are foreign enterprises and brands. Notably, 47% of the exhibitors (193 companies) are participating for the first time, indicating the growing interest of international businesses in the Kazakh market and the potential of the local food industry.

Key features of the exhibition include national stands from Belarus, Poland, and South Korea, as well as collective stands from Russian regions and Chinese provinces, showcasing a wide range of products, ingredients, and packaging solutions. The Russian exhibition includes representatives from 15 regions, including Bashkortostan, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia – Alania, Smolensk, Kaluga, Astrakhan, Vladimir, Kirov, Nizhny Novgorod, Omsk, Penza, Ulyanovsk, Chelyabinsk, Tula, and Tomsk regions.

The first day of the exhibition was filled with business events and professional discussions. One of the central events was the workshop "FOOD 3D: Qazaq — Strategy 2026," during which participants discussed new industry challenges, import substitution issues, and improving the efficiency and competitiveness of local producers. The panel session "Course on Sustainability: How to Combine Packaging Business and Ecology — From Trend to Responsibility," dedicated to transitioning to eco-friendly technologies and fostering a culture of responsible production, attracted significant interest. The day concluded with a presentation-tasting by the company "TD Cherkizovo," where guests learned about the history and philosophy of the halal brand Latifa, presented on the Kazakh market.

Parallel to the main exhibition, from November 12 to 13, the FoodExpo Qazaqstan venue hosts a retail center — a specialized zone for B2B negotiations between suppliers and retail chains and distributors from Kazakhstan and Central Asia. This format has proven to be an effective tool for establishing direct contacts, expanding sales channels, and concluding long-term contracts. Magnum Cash & Carry,

Parallel to the food exhibition, the 22nd Kazakhstan International Exhibition "Packaging, Containers, Labels, and Printing" — QazPack Qazaqstan 2025 began its work. This year, 117 companies from 12 countries are participating: Azerbaijan, Germany, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Korea, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Switzerland. Of these, 36 companies represent Kazakhstan, and 81 are foreign manufacturers, showcasing innovative solutions for the packaging, printing, and logistics industries. The exhibition features modern processing and packaging design technologies, eco-friendly and biodegradable materials, as well as automated labeling and printing systems.

The 20th International Specialized Exhibitions Horex & Clean Expo Qazaqstan 2025 gathered professionals from the hospitality and cleaning industries on one platform, becoming a key attraction point for representatives of the restaurant business, hoteliers, and suppliers of equipment and cleanliness solutions.

This year, the exhibition is represented by 33 companies, of which 25 participants showcase solutions for the restaurant and hotel business within HorexExpo Qazaqstan, and 8 exhibitors present innovations and technologies in the field of professional cleaning at CleanExpo Qazaqstan. The exhibition geography covers 10 countries: Belarus, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Russia, USA, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic.

 

13 companies represent Kazakhstan, and 20 participants come from abroad, confirming the high international interest in the Kazakh HoReCa market. Notably, 22 companies are participating for the first time, bringing fresh ideas and solutions to the industry's development.

The central business event was the large-scale Horex Business Forum — an authoritative professional session that brings together representatives of the restaurant, hotel, and service sectors. This year's forum program includes 9 thematic blocks, 3 panel discussions, 8 expert discussions, and 22 relevant topics, with over 35 speakers and 3 moderators, including well-known market experts and practitioners.

Today, there were intensive sessions that set the tone for the entire program. Participants discussed crisis management issues at the panel discussion "Safety and Stress: When Everything Goes Off Plan," explored current IT trends already transforming the Kazakh HoReCa market, and participated in the dynamic panel "Franchising Without Illusions: Growth or Trap?", which addressed the real challenges and opportunities of franchising projects in the hospitality sector.

The joint hosting of three exhibitions — FoodExpo Qazaqstan, QazPack Qazaqstan, and Horex & Clean Expo Qazaqstan — creates a synergistic effect, allowing participants to see the entire industry development cycle: from product production and packaging to its implementation and service to the end consumer.

The exhibitions will continue for two more days, and we await professionals from the food industry, packaging, hospitality, and cleaning sectors with pre-registration on the event websites!

www.foodexpo.kz

www.horexexpo.kz

www.qazpack.kz