Grain market experts often speak out about the unreliability of statistical data on grain production in Kazakhstan. Subsequently, doubts about production volumes are used by some of them as an argument to justify their proposals for a ban and export duties on grain.

Back in 2020, the Kazakh Grain Union proposed to introduce a system for accounting and traceability of grain and products of its procesing. It should ensure the collection of data on production, imports, as well as trade in grain and products of its processing in a single information system. A similar system has been introduced in the Russian Federation since 2022.

Such a system can provide real-time information on all types of products, including wheat, barley, sunflower seeds, flour, bran, sunflower oil. The availability of up-to-date and reliable information on these products would allow government agencies to more effectively address issues related to providing the population with socially significant food products (SZPT).

The state information system for accounting for grain and products of its processing will allow:

• carry out in an automated mode full operational accounting of grain and products of its processing;
• have on any date information about the availability of grain and products of its processing, trade volumes, including exports, as well as domestic and export prices;
• eliminate the conditions for the functioning of the shadow market for grain and products of its processing;
• ensure the reliability of statistical reports on the availability of grain and products of its processing;
• to improve tax administration in the circulation of grain and products of its processing.

In order to create a legal basis for the implementation of its initiative, the Kazakh Grain Union developed a draft Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Grain and its Processing Products” (in a new edition). The draft law in 2020 was sent to the NCE "Atameken" and interested state bodies. During this time, open discussions of the bill were held with participants in the grain market.

The Kazakh Grain Union, together with the Institute of Parliamentarism, continues to work on the adoption by the deputies of the draft law "On grain and products of its processing."