The 4th International Consumer Goods Exhibition, NFA Expo-2025, has opened in Almaty. This year, 127 companies from nine countries—Kazakhstan, China, Italy, Turkey, Russia, Belarus, Latvia, and Uzbekistan—are participating. The exhibits showcase global innovations in non-food retail, including professional cutting boards made of food-safe, antimicrobial thermoplastic, premium household chemicals, durable stainless steel kitchen knives, and modern household appliances manufactured in internationally certified facilities. Visitors can also discover natural cosmetics, glassware and packaging collections, HoReCa solutions, and a wide range of products for the home, kitchen, leisure, and service.

The exhibition was opened by Aizhan Bizhanova, First Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who toured the exhibits and held meetings with international and domestic manufacturers. In her speech, she emphasized that NFA Expo 2025 is a promising format for interaction, where manufacturers have the opportunity to present their products, and retailers can immediately find suitable solutions for their networks. This direct dialogue accelerates the introduction of new products to the shelves and creates transparent conditions for cooperation.

Aizhan Bizhanova emphasized the importance of developing end-use goods, noting that this segment creates the greatest added value and is a key driver of GDP growth for any country participating in the exhibition. She recalled that Kazakhstan has a legal requirement to allocate at least 30% of shelf space to domestic food and non-food products. For Kazakhstani producers, this represents a real window of opportunity—both for increasing market share and expanding the product range in retail chains. The implementation of the "Single Window" digital platform, which will be integrated with the Register of Domestic Manufacturers and ensure fast and transparent access of Kazakhstani goods to retailers, will provide additional support.

During the exhibition, Aizhan Bizhanova met with members of the Pakistani Senate, during which the high potential for developing bilateral trade and economic cooperation was noted. Following the talks with the Pakistani senator, an agreement was confirmed to strengthen cooperation in consumer goods and expand mutual trade channels. Pakistan, with a consumer market of over 350 million people, is of strategic interest to manufacturers participating in NFA Expo 2025. The parties expressed their willingness to develop direct contacts between business communities, exchange retail experience, and create sustainable supply chains.

The organizers note that this year's NFA Expo 2025 features a record-breaking range of categories: from household chemicals, kitchenware, home appliances, cosmetics, and perfumes to children's products, interior design solutions, holiday products, gardening products, and a professional line for HoReCa.

A new focus of the exhibition was the Retail Tech section, showcasing IT services, technological equipment, and digital tools for retail. China's national exhibit attracted considerable attention: dozens of companies presented tableware, household chemicals, glassware, and kitchen appliances imported from leading industrial provinces.

One of the key trends at the exhibition was the development of private labels. More than half of the exhibitors expressed a willingness to contract manufacture goods under the brands of retail chains. According to NielsenIQ, the share of private labels in Kazakhstan has nearly doubled over the past three years, and more than 60% of shoppers purchase such products at least once a month, confirming the steady demand for high-quality and affordable solutions.

An active buyers' program has been in full swing since day one: buyers and representatives from major retail chains—Magnum, Small, Anvar, Toimart, Airba Fresh, Korzinka, Wildberries, Flip.kz, Fix Price, bi1, Globus, and others—are negotiating with producers, discussing cooperation terms, and developing product ranges for the new season. Participants can access a consultation area, where they receive advice on certification, packaging, logistics, raw material solutions, and export opportunities.

Over the course of three days, NFA Expo-2025 will host brand presentations, demonstrations of new products, master classes, business meetings, and negotiations. The exhibition has already attracted significant interest from the professional community and will run until November 28.

The event is supported by the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1114137?lang=kk