Kazakhstan aims to boost grain exports in 2024

Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin has said that the Kazakh government has imposed restrictions on wheat imports from countries within the Eurasian Economic Union, including Russia, until the end of the year.

Zhumangarin made these remarks during a briefing, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“This decision aims to regulate prices in the domestic market. Why did we impose a ban on the import of Russian wheat? Previously, we had temporary restrictions, allowing only those involved in processing or poultry farms to import it. However, these limitations were ineffective. Wheat was being brought in under various pretexts and then re-exported," he stated.

He noted that wheat was imported into the country through gray distribution channels. 

"Unclear wheat, which is supplied through these gray distribution channels at prices below any conceivable production cost—between $60 and $80 per ton—not only disrupts the market and undermines the honest efforts of thousands of our farmers, but it also creates confusion in export shipments. This ban was necessary for us to stabilise domestic prices and send a clear signal to the internal market," the deputy prime minister said.

Moreover, Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration Kairat Torebayev has said during a government meeting that the Kazakh government plans to increase grain exports to 12 million tons in 2024. 

"Kazakhstan's export potential for grains is estimated at 12 million tons, of which 7-7.5 million tons is wheat, 1.4 million tons is barley, and 300,000 tons is corn. As for oilseeds, the potential is estimated at over 1 million tons," Torebayev stated.

He noted that Kazakhstan will continue supplying grain to the markets of Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, totaling approximately 4.2 million tons. Overall, grain exports to China reached 1.43 million tons in 2023, marking a 5.5-fold increase. 

The deputy minister noted that wheat exports to China have significantly surged, reaching 538,800 tons in 2023—almost 15 times more than the previous year's figure.

"This demonstrates the potential to increase shipments to China and other Asian countries to 1.6 million tons of wheat. It is essential to address issues related to delays at the border due to Chinese regulations, as well as complex conditions such as licensing and import quotas for Kazakh grain in China," he added.

By Naila Huseynova