Mouscron, Belgium, August 27, 2026 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko visited the Belgian family-owned Vandeputte Group and held a meeting with Henry-François Vandeputte, owner and purchase manager of the company.

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for expanding supplies of Kazakh linseed to Belgium and the European Union, developing long-term supply chains, and deepening investment and technological cooperation in the agri-food sector.

Particular attention was paid to strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a reliable supplier of linseed to the European market. In 2025, Kazakhstan’s linseed exports to Belgium more than doubled to USD 164.4 million, becoming the largest item of Kazakhstan’s exports to Belgium. Between September 2025 and May 2026, Kazakhstan supplied a record 309,500 tonnes of linseed to Belgium, accounting for 28% of the country’s total linseed exports.

The parties also considered opportunities to move from raw-material trade towards deeper industrial cooperation, including the localisation of linseed processing and production of higher value-added products in Kazakhstan, as well as the transfer of Belgian technologies and expertise in linseed oil production.

The initiative of JSC NC KazakhInvest to establish cooperation between Vandeputte Group and Kazakhstani companies Harvest Agro, Alem Agro, Olzha Agro and others was discussed separately. Potential cooperation could include a long-term linseed supply chain, improved yields and quality standards, efficient export logistics and, in the longer term, a possible joint venture for linseed processing in Kazakhstan.

Roman Vassilenko underlined Kazakhstan’s interest in expanding investment and industrial partnerships with Belgian companies, including in the context of the first ever State Visit of His Majesty King Philippe of the Belgians to Kazakhstan in autumn 2026.

Background: Vandeputte Group is a Belgian family-owned company founded in 1887. The Group specializes in linseed processing and the production of linseed oil, oleochemicals, soaps, linseed expellers and detergents, as well as components used in paints, inks, linoleum and wood-protection products. The Group’s two main areas of activity are Vandeputte Huilerie (Oils & Oleochemicals) and Vandeputte Savonnerie (Soap & Detergents). The company processes 120,000 tonnes of linseed annually and maintains the traditional method of mechanical pressing for oil extraction.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-brussels/press/news/details/1281479?lang=ru