Kazakhstan suspends wheat, flour export quotas

Kazakhstan has formally suspended its wheat and wheat flour export quotas as of Sept. 13, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture. Since the restrictions went into effect on April 14, Kazakhstani exporters utilized 83% of the wheat and 66% of the wheat flour export quotas, which were meant to balance exports with domestic food security needs. On June 15, Kazakhstan announced the extension of wheat and wheat flour export quotas until Sept. 30 and increased the exportable amounts to 1.55 million tonnes of wheat and 670,000 tonnes of wheat flour.

Initial reports of a good fall grain harvest helped the government decide to end the export restrictions. According to the agriculture ministry, almost 70% of Kazakhstan’s grain crops have been harvested as of Sept. 13, with yields so far estimated to be at least 30% higher than last year.

While Kazakhstan experienced unusually hot and dry conditions last growing year, weather and precipitation levels in major grain producing areas have generally been more favorable this year. The agriculture ministry estimates wheat production in marketing year 2022-23 at 13 million tonnes with domestic consumption at 6.5 million tonnes. The average yields are reported at 1.2 tonnes per hectare.

Source: FAO, World-grain.com