Export of Kazakh wheat to Iran fell by 93%

The main markets for Kazakh grain and flour are the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan, which account for about 60% of the volume. Such data is provided by the Food Corporation.

At the same time, some states significantly increased supplies. In particular, for the period from July 1 to November 1, 2022, shipments of wheat and flour in grain equivalent to Afghanistan amounted to 719 thousand tons (against from 399 thousand tons for the same period in 2021), to China – 129 thousand tons (against 10.9 thousand tons), to Azerbaijan 79.1 thousand tons (against 16.8 thousand tons).

But Iran has significantly reduced the purchase of Kazakh wheat. If Iranians purchased 221.2 thousand tons of food grain in Kazakhstan from July 1 to November 1, 2021, then for the same period in 2022 – only 15.6 thousand tons. However, this volume was partially compensated by the growth of fodder purchases: the export of Kazakh barley to Iran increased from 125,000 tons to 246,000 tons over the specified period.

The Food Corporation also notes a significant decrease in the supply of Kazakh wheat to the world market (Europe and other states). If from July 1 to November 1, 2021, 52.6 thousand tons went there, then for the same period in 2022 only 4.7 thousand tons. Obviously, this is due to the increase in the cost of logistics and the decline in world prices, which made transportation unprofitable.

Recall that the wheat harvest in Kazakhstan in 2022 amounted to 15.4 million tons against 11.8 million in dry 2021. The export potential of wheat and flour in grain equivalent is estimated at 8-9 million tons.

Tags: Kazakhstan, wheat, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, China