Wheat of 4th and 5th grades, as well as barley, have started to rise in price in Kazakhstan. The price increase over the month was 10-12%, the Grain Union of Kazakhstan reported to the APK News agency.
As of January 4, 4th grade wheat costs 57-59 thousand tenge, 5th grade wheat - 49-52 thousand tenge, barley - 54-56 thousand tenge. Prices include VAT.
“Over the month, these crops have risen in price by 10-12%,” said Yevgeny Karabanov, a representative of the Grain Union.
At the same time, he noted that 3rd grade wheat has not risen in price much. Gluten 23-24% is estimated at 62-65 thousand tenge, gluten 25-26% - 67-70 thousand tenge, gluten 27-28% - 78-85 thousand tenge, gluten 29+ - 95-105 thousand tenge.
“These are prices with VAT, depending on the quantity, location and other quality indicators (natural, falling number, IDK),” noted Evgeny Karabanov.
He also clarified that this is not the offer price, but the price of real transactions.
Meanwhile, prices on world markets also began the year with growth. This is stated by Russian media. The current situation is explained by the fact that the Russian Federation and the EU countries can supply significantly smaller volumes of wheat to the world market.
At the same time, Kazakhstani exporters report that grain prices will continue to rise in the future.
"Grain prices will rise. Despite the fact that Kazakhstan opened imports of Russian grain on January 1, there will be little import from there, because there is little grain left there and their prices are quite high. We don't have much grain either," Kazakh trader Kairbek Zhalgapbayev told the APK News agency.
He believes that the volumes that will come to Kazakhstan from Russia will offset the 2024 harvest overstatements.
There is a growth trend, the trader also noted. In March-April, grade 3 wheat will cost 100-110 thousand tenge.
"Currently, buyers from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan are dumping our prices, world prices are much higher than ours. Grade 3 wheat is trading at 60 thousand tenge per ton. This cannot happen. Talking to colleagues, we believe that prices will rise in the future. When Russia exports its grain within the quota, and this will be for February-March, then Kazakhstan grain will enter the market. For hi-pro, which, by the way, is very scarce this year due to weather conditions, the price will be 120-125 thousand tenge, there will be demand for hi-pro. The possible maximum for it is 150 thousand tenge. For ordinary wheat of the 3rd class - in the region of 85-90 thousand tenge. Barley will also grow in price," the trader said.