Astrakhan Region trades with more than 50 countries worldwide
Minister of External Relations of the Astrakhan Region Vladimir Golovkov delivered a report on the Current Status and Prospects of the Astrakhan Region's International Activities at a meeting of the Astrakhan Region Government.
He noted that the Astrakhan Region's main foreign partners traditionally include the Caspian Sea countries, as well as Belarus and Uzbekistan. The Astrakhan Region trades with more than 50 countries. By the end of 2025, trade turnover had increased by 10%.
Caspian countries account for 65% of the region's foreign trade turnover. Trade turnover with these countries increased by 9% in 2025.
More than half of the Astrakhan Region's total agricultural exports go to Kazakhstan. Vegetable exports to this country increased by 1.8 times. Meat exports to Iran increased by 3.7 times, fish exports to Turkmenistan quadrupled, and confectionery exports to Azerbaijan have begun. Trade volumes with Belarus have almost doubled. Astrakhan agricultural exports to Uzbekistan are growing.
Vladimir Golovkov reported that approximately 200 companies with foreign capital currently operate in the Astrakhan Region. More than half of these are from Caspian states.
He cited the construction of a household chemicals plant by the Iranian-owned company Roza, a flour milling complex by the Turkmen-owned company Agro-Export in the Narimanov District SEZ, and the modernization and development of PJSC Astrakhan Port with the active participation of Iranian investors as the largest foreign investment in the Astrakhan Region's economy.
In his report, Vladimir Golovkov cited numerous examples of cooperation between the Astrakhan Region and Caspian states in the trade, economic, and humanitarian spheres. He also noted the intensive development of diverse ties with partners from Belarus and Uzbekistan.
Attention is also being paid to expanding inter-municipal cooperation. Astrakhan currently has twinning agreements with 10 foreign municipalities. Three new twinning agreements were signed in 2025: with Brest and the Pervomaysky District of Minsk, as well as the Uzbek city of Urgench.
Vladimir Golovkov informed members of the regional government about plans for international activities in 2026.