This year, the grain export potential of Kazakhstan is estimated at 12 million tons, of which 7-7.5 million tons are wheat, 1.4 million tons are barley, and 300 thousand tons are corn. The potential for oilseeds is estimated at more than 1 million tons. This was announced at a government meeting by Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kairat Torebayev.
“Kazakhstan will continue to supply the markets of Central Asian countries and Afghanistan, which is about 4.2 million tons. In general, grain exports to China amounted to 1.43 million tons in 2023, showing a 5.5-fold increase year-on-year,” said Kairat Torebayev.
According to the government press service, wheat exports to China have increased significantly, reaching 538.8 thousand tons in 2023: almost 15 times more than a year earlier.
"This demonstrates the possibility of increasing supplies to China and Asian countries to 1.6 million tons of wheat. It is important to work out the issue of delays at the border due to the requirements of Chinese authorities, as well as complex conditions such as licenses and quotas for importing Kazakh grain in China," Kairat Torebayev added.
In the context of increasing global demand and decreasing harvests in a number of countries, Kazakhstan is interested in the market of the European Union countries, such as Italy, Latvia, Spain. The export potential to Turkey and the Middle East is estimated at almost 1 million tons of wheat.
"It is important to restore supplies to the Iranian market, we are now seeing dynamics for barley, issues of trade financing and logistics will be worked out. Work will be intensified to promote the brand of Kazakh wheat in new markets such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, where import growth is predicted," Kairat Torebayev said.
In turn, Transport Minister Marat Karabayev reported that active transportation of grain cargo began in September. During the month, 1.05 million tons of grain were transported, which is almost a quarter more than last year. Of the total volume, 867 thousand tons were sent for export.
According to the government, the growth in transportation to Central Asian countries was 28%. Shipments to Iran via the port of Aktau have resumed, the volume in September was 140 thousand tons.
According to forecasts, in October, transportation may reach 1.25 million tons. Marat Karabayev assured that the pace will remain at 1.2-1.3 million tons per month until the end of the year. There are reserves of throughput capacity in the export directions of Central Asia