Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, has firmly established itself as a premier destination for international exhibitions and trade fairs in Central Asia. The city’s modern infrastructure, anchored by the state-of-the-art EXPO International Exhibition Center, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and thousands of companies from around the world each year. These events serve as vital platforms for business networking, technological exchange, and economic cooperation.
This article explores some of the largest and most significant exhibitions held in Astana, highlighting their scale, international participation, and economic impact.
KazAgro/KazFarm: The Agricultural Powerhouse
Among the most prominent events on Astana’s exhibition calendar is KazAgro/KazFarm, widely recognized as the largest agricultural exhibition in Central Asia. The 2025 edition, held from October 22 to 24 at the EXPO International Exhibition Center, demonstrated the event’s immense scale and influence.
The exhibition brought together 316 companies from 25 countries, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Belarus, China, Russia, Iran, the United States, Turkey, and Spain. Over an exhibition area of 20,000 square meters, these companies showcased cutting-edge solutions for crop production, animal husbandry, and agricultural product processing. The event attracted more than 10,000 visitors, including farmers, investors, government officials, and international delegations.
A key highlight of the 2025 edition was the “AgroHub: Science and Business” contracting conference, which resulted in 10 agreements worth over 700 million tenge. The first-ever Belarus-Kazakhstan Agrarian Forum also concluded contracts worth more than 90 million USD. The event reinforced its status as the region’s main agribusiness platform, with the next edition scheduled for October 21-23, 2026.
Ulttyq Ónim: A Celebration of Domestic Industry
The Ulttyq Ónim exhibition stands as one of the largest platforms for promoting Kazakhstani products and services. Organized by the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund, this annual event has grown significantly since its inception.
The 2026 edition, held from May 22 to 24 at the EXPO International Exhibition Center, set new records. The exhibition welcomed over 35,000 visitors and featured nearly 600 entrepreneurs, more than double the previous year’s participation. The event expanded beyond its traditional focus on processing and manufacturing to include medicine, education, IT, and creative industries.
The exhibition featured live zones and interactive formats allowing visitors to observe real production processes. Masterclasses on artificial intelligence applications in business covered topics from process automation to business plan generation. International guests from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and France attended, along with representatives of international financial organizations.
ExpoGoods Central Asia: A Trade and Retail Nexus
The International Expo-Forum ExpoGoods Central Asia, held in June 2025, proved to be a major draw for trade and retail professionals. The event welcomed over 9,500 specialists and showcased more than 500 brands from 14 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Kazakhstan, China, and others.
The expo focused on FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) and HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering) sectors, attracting representatives from major retail chains and marketplaces. Companies like Wildberries, Magnum, Lamoda.kz, Alibaba Central Asia, and X5 participated in over 140 closed B2B negotiations between retailers, distributors, and manufacturers.
A notable feature of the 2025 event was a 3,000-square-meter pavilion from Jiangsu Province, China, showcasing products from the region. The accompanying Astana International Trade Forum brought together government officials and business leaders to discuss the future of trade in Central Asia.
Kazakhstan Machinery Fair: Industrial Innovation on Display
For professionals in the manufacturing and metalworking sectors, the Kazakhstan Machinery Fair represents the largest exhibition of its kind in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Organized with support from the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan and in cooperation with Leipziger Messe International, the event covers a sprawling 10,000 square meters.
The fair features 290+ participants from 24 countries across 14 thematic sections, including metalworking equipment, welding materials, robotics and automation, and additive technologies. The event attracts a highly qualified audience: 85.33% of visitors are decision-makers or influence purchasing decisions at their companies.
The accompanying Forum of Machine Builders of Kazakhstan provides a platform for industry leaders to discuss regulatory issues and technological trends, making the fair an essential event for anyone in the machinery and metalworking industries.
RES 2026 EXPO: The Future of Green Technology
The upcoming RES 2026 EXPO, scheduled for April 22-24, 2026, promises to be one of the most significant green technology exhibitions ever held in Astana. Organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, this event is part of the Regional Environmental Summit of Central Asia.
The exhibition is expected to welcome over 300 companies from 30 countries, more than 1,500 delegates, and over 20,000 visitors. The planned attendance of the President of Kazakhstan and heads of Central Asian states underscores the event’s high international status.
RES 2026 EXPO will feature eight thematic zones covering green energy and decarbonization, water resources and wastewater treatment, circular economy and waste recycling, smart cities and sustainable infrastructure, climate technologies, biodiversity, agrotechnologies, and ESG and green financing. The event will also include the GREEN INVEST FORUM, an ECO STARTUP COMPETITION, and a sustainable fashion show.
Automechanika Astana: The Automotive Aftermarket Leader
The Automechanika Astana exhibition has established itself as the largest event in the region for the automotive aftermarket. The 2025 edition attracted approximately 14,000 visitors and 365 participants from 22 countries.
Scheduled for June 10-12, 2026, at the EXPO International Exhibition Center, the event covers spare parts, components, service equipment, and related services. The business program features participation from relevant government bodies, major automakers, and industry experts, making it an essential meeting point for automotive professionals.
Emerging Events and Future Growth
Astana’s exhibition landscape continues to expand, with new events emerging to serve diverse industries. The Electronica Expo Kazakhstan, first held in 2025, has already established itself as the largest electronics exhibition in Central Asia. The 2026 edition, scheduled for June 16-18, will double in scale, featuring three co-located exhibitions: Electronica Expo (components and sensors), Consumer Electronics, and Tools Electronics.
Other notable events include InterFood Astana (food industry), HORECA Expo Kazakhstan (hospitality industry), Astana Mining & Metallurgy (mining and metallurgy congress), and KIOSH (occupational safety and health).
The EXPO International Exhibition Center: A World-Class Venue
The common thread linking these major exhibitions is the EXPO International Exhibition Center, located at 53/1 Mangilik El Avenue in Astana. This modern facility, built for the 2017 World Expo, provides world-class infrastructure for events of any scale. With its expansive halls, advanced technical capabilities, and convenient location, the EXPO Center has become the undisputed heart of Kazakhstan’s exhibition industry.
Astana has transformed into a dynamic hub for international exhibitions, drawing global attention to Central Asia’s economic potential. From agriculture and manufacturing to green technology and trade, the capital’s exhibition calendar reflects Kazakhstan’s strategic priorities and its growing role in the global economy.
For businesses seeking to enter Central Asian markets, these exhibitions offer unparalleled opportunities for networking, market research, and partnership development. For Astana itself, they represent a vital engine of economic growth, tourism, and international engagement. As the city continues to invest in its exhibition infrastructure, its position as the region’s premier meeting place is set to strengthen in the years ahead.
