Exhibition Results: How Astana Became a Hub for the Global Flower and Greenhouse Industry for Three Days
From April 8 to 10, 2026, the XIII International Exhibition of Floriculture and Green Industry, Flora Expo Astana 2026, and the International Exhibition of Greenhouse Equipment and Technologies for Plant Cultivation, Grow Expo Astana 2026, took place at the EXPO International Exhibition Center. The events once again brought together professionals from across the green industry and reinforced Kazakhstan’s position as a key platform for international business in Central Asia.
The official opening was attended by Saken Kanybekov, Chairman of the Committee for State Inspection in the Agro-Industrial Complex; Lianne Kersbergen, Deputy Chief Phytosanitary Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of the Netherlands; Nico Schermers, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Central Asia; Nurlan Adilkhan, President of the Greenhouse Association of Kazakhstan; Baizhan Ualkhanov, Chairman of the Potato and Vegetable Growers Union of Kazakhstan; Yerik Usinov, Director of 3D Flowers; Nadezhda Grigorieva, CEO of GreenExpo Exhibition Company; and Kulbagira Kalieva, Director of Astana Expo Exhibition Company.
This year, the exhibitions brought together 220 companies from 23 countries, including Kazakhstan, Belarus, Germany, Israel, Spain, Italy, Kenya, China, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, the United States, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Finland, France, Switzerland, Ecuador, and South Korea.
International companies made up 75% of all exhibitors, focusing on the Kazakhstan and Central Asian markets. This strong international presence created a competitive environment and gave visitors the opportunity to compare solutions side by side in one place.
Flora Expo Astana
The Flora Expo Astana exhibition featured cut and potted flowers, ornamental plants, planting material, bulbs, floristry supplies and décor, as well as solutions for landscaping and urban greening. Special attention was given to tools for managing the flower business, including logistics, packaging, and supply chains. The exhibition covered the entire value chain — from cultivation to sales and design — allowing participants to build comprehensive solutions.
Among the companies were Green Garden, Bonnar, TK GRES, Verevkin Khutor, Fashion Garden, Elite Group, Avgust, StampsyBox, BloomX, Logiztik Alliance Group, Subati, Decorum, Fontana, Agrocoex, Taiwan Flower Association, Native Blooms, Mzurrie Flowers, Sutkowski and others.
Yerik Usinov, Director of 3D Flowers and General Partner of the exhibition, mentioned:
“For 3D Flowers, it is a great honor to once again serve as the General Partner of Flora Expo Astana. We understand how important it is to create platforms that bring together representatives of the global flower industry.”
The national pavilion of the Netherlands became one of the main highlights, featuring one of the largest displays at the exhibition. Companies showcased new breeding varieties, cultivation technologies, and solutions tailored for international markets.
Producers from Ecuador, Kenya, and China also presented their latest offerings in cut flowers, strengthening the exhibition’s export dimension.
Business Program
The business program focused on key topics in the flower industry, landscaping, and urban design. The III Netherlands Day Forum served as a platform to discuss modern technologies, breeding, and international cooperation.
The Jasyl Astana conference traditionally addressed current issues in urban greening and city landscaping. As part of Urban Talks, speakers shared practical case studies and completed projects, focusing on how solutions are implemented in urban environments and how they improve public spaces.
Abay Kapabayev, architect and founder of A-Concept Design, noted:
“The seminar on landscape design and urbanism was very useful for me. The speakers shared real case studies and practical experience in applying technologies to solve urban challenges, which overall raises both the professional level and the cultural perspective of the industry.”
Tulip Talks sessions focused on practical aspects of tulip cultivation — from variety selection and planting material preparation to production planning and meeting seasonal demand. During Flora Talks, participants discussed digitalization and automation, assortment management, logistics, as well as tools for growing and scaling flower businesses in today’s market.
For the first time, the China Flower Conference was held as part of the program, allowing participants to connect directly with suppliers from China and build partnerships in one place. This format strengthened negotiations and shortened decision-making timelines.
Elaine Huang, Senior Sales Manager and representative of the organizer of the International Flower Exhibition in Kunming, noted:
“The China Flower Conference in Astana confirms strong demand for Chinese flower products and serves as an effective platform showcasing leading companies across the industry — from breeding to young plant production.”
Floristry Program
The floristry program stood out as a dedicated part of the exhibition. The open competition Asia Tusi – 2026, themed “Cosmic Garden,” brought together florists and decorators who presented original compositions and installations. The competition attracted participants from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan, demonstrating a high level of skill and a wide range of creative approaches.
The expert panel was chaired by Sergey Karpunin (Russia), Vice President of the National Guild of Florists and a certified judge of the international floristry organization FLORINT. The jury also included international and Kazakh industry experts, including Natalia Mikhaleva (Estonia), Oksana Sherebirova and Denis Loboda (Kazakhstan), while technical evaluation was conducted by a separate panel of specialists.
Competition results among studios and decorators:
1st place — VESNA Floristry Studio (Kazakhstan, Petropavlovsk)
2nd place — Frida Team (Kazakhstan–Russia)
3rd place — DY.Art Studio (Kazakhstan, Almaty)
Among individual florists:
1st place — Inna Kulyba (Kazakhstan, Stepnogorsk)
2nd place — Dana Almenova (Kazakhstan, Astana)
3rd place — Inna Evtenko (Russia, Surgut)
Showcases and masterclasses featuring Kazakh and international florists were held on the main stage. Experts demonstrated modern techniques, new forms, and approaches to working with flowers, including the use of international materials and unconventional solutions.
Competition works, including compositions by Kyrgyz florist Petr Anokhin, were donated to the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kazakhstan as part of a charity initiative. Ambassador Nico Schermers, together with his spouse Ellada Alaverdyan, later passed them on to social institutions in Astana, turning the works into a gesture of care and support.
Grow Expo Astana
The Grow Expo Astana exhibition covered greenhouse construction projects, modernization of existing facilities, and technological upgrades of agricultural operations. The exhibition featured greenhouse structures, engineering systems, and solutions for year-round cultivation.
Dedicated sections included climate control, automation, lighting, and irrigation systems. Substrates, fertilizers, plant protection products, and biological solutions were also presented. The seeds and planting material segment covered key crops relevant to the region.
Among the companies were Dutch Greenhouse, Syngenta, Rufepa, Shandong Lisente Agricultural Technology, Agricultural Projects Holland, KosAgroCommerce, Prime HortiSolutions, Grodan, Fertika, Dogal, Technonikol, BASF Yug, Royal Brinkman, KUBO and others.
National pavilions from the Netherlands, South Korea, and Russia attracted particular attention. Ayaulym Karsakbayeva, Marketing Director of the Kazakh branch of the Korean company Very Berry, noted:
“Following last year’s results, sales generated at the exhibition reached around 50 million tenge. This year, we are presenting new solutions that are already drawing strong interest — from unique strawberry trays and greenhouse fans to fogging systems and greenhouse repair materials.”
Business Program
The business program focused on practical challenges in the greenhouse sector. The central event was the Astana Greenhouse Forum, a platform for dialogue between businesses and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other government bodies. Discussions covered industry development, regulation, tariff policy, and producer support.
During Netherlands Day, sustainable technologies and international expertise were presented. As part of the exhibition, Saken Kanybekov held a meeting with representatives of relevant Dutch authorities to discuss certification of regulated products, importer country requirements, and the development of phytosanitary cooperation.
The Berry Talks conference focused on the development of the berry sector. Speakers from Kazakhstan, Serbia, Italy, and Poland shared practical experience and modern cultivation technologies. Special attention was given to tunnel production, greenhouse solutions, and varieties adapted to local conditions. The sessions demonstrated strong interest in the berry sector and its growth potential in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
Azamat Zheksembiev, berry industry expert and organizer of the International Berry Forum, noted:
“The Berry Talks conference went very well. Based on audience feedback and the fact that the hall remained full from start to finish, it is clear that the topic is in demand. The number of questions showed strong interest in the berry sector both in Kazakhstan and among visitors from neighboring countries. This area should continue to be developed.”
The Grow Cartop conference focused on potato cultivation technologies. The program addressed current industry conditions, soil fertility restoration, yield improvement, and irrigation technologies. An open dialogue was also held among producers on practical agribusiness issues. Baizhan Ualkhanov noted:
“The goal of the Grow Cartop conference is to address soil protection and expand farmers’ access to new potato varieties. We accepted the organizers’ invitation and are participating in the exhibition, where practical crop rotation solutions and international experience, including from France, are already presented.”
Grow Talks sessions offered practical solutions for farmers and greenhouse owners, while Grow Academy provided an educational program for young specialists, combining practical expertise with training.
Professional Audience
The exhibitions brought together 4,156 professional visitors from Kazakhstan and abroad, including greenhouse owners and managers, agronomists, farmers, representatives of the flower business, suppliers and distributors, investors, developers, government bodies, and industry professionals. This audience ensured a high level of business interaction and direct partnership opportunities.
Results
Flora Expo Astana and Grow Expo Astana confirmed their role as key business platforms for the green industry in Central Asia. Over three days, the exhibitions became a space for negotiations, contract signing, and professional exchange. Participants presented solutions, discussed cooperation opportunities, and set directions for further industry development.
Organizer: Astana Expo Exhibition Company
Co-organizers: GreenExpo Exhibition Company, Union of Greenhouses of Kazakhstan
Partner Country: Kingdom of the Netherlands
General Partner of Flora Expo Astana: 3D Flowers
Partners: Royal FloraHolland, Dutch Greenhouse Delta
Official Support: Akimat of Astana, Visit Astana, Astana Tourism
The dates for next year have already been announced: we look forward to welcoming you from April 7 to 9, 2027.