Kazakhstan exports record volume of barley

Export of Kazakhstani barley since the beginning of the marketing year (for 9 months) amounted to 1 million 829.1 thousand tons. This is twice as much as the same period of the previous marketing year and the highest value in history, said Evgeniy Karabanov, head of the analytics department of the Grain Union of Kazakhstan.

In May, barley exports amounted to 110.1 thousand tons (excluding the EAEU countries), having decreased by 63.4 thousand tons compared to April. As the expert noted, the decrease is seasonal and indicates the exhaustion of export potential in the current marketing year.

Active exports to Iran are still observed, where 1 million 147.7 thousand tons were shipped during the current season – a record for the last five seasons.

Exports to China for 9 months amounted to 433.2 thousand tons, which is 36% less than the same period of the previous season. As explained by Evgeny Karabanov, deliveries to China decreased due to China’s internal restrictions on imports of barley, sorghum and corn (from March to June), as well as due to active exports of Kazakh barley to Iran.

A record volume of barley shipments in the current MY was made to Azerbaijan – 34.6 thousand tons. This was facilitated by the low barley harvest in Russia in 2024, the strengthening of the ruble against major currencies and the absence of a quota for barley exports from Russia to third countries from February 15 to June 30.

“Due to active demand from two main exporters – China and Iran, the domestic price of barley reached 91 thousand tenge / ton, which is the maximum level since February 2023,” noted Evgeny Karabanov.

At the same time, over 9 months, Kazakhstan imported 70.5 thousand tons of barley, mainly from Russia. This volume of imports is the minimum over the last three MYs.

Taking into account the high demand and prices on the domestic market, the Grain Union increased the forecast for barley exports from Kazakhstan in MY2024/25 by 40 thousand tons, to 2 million tons.

According to the Grain Union, a good barley harvest is expected this year: this is facilitated by an increase in sown areas and favorable weather conditions.

“An increase in domestic consumption is expected due to an increase in the number of cattle and small cattle, as well as an increase in the production of feed flour, where barley is one of the components – up to 20% in the composition. Active demand for barley from China and Iran is expected in the next season,” said Evgeny Karabanov.

At the same time, the expert noted that in connection with the expectation of a higher harvest in the Russian Federation, competition with Russian barley will increase, primarily in the markets of Iran and Azerbaijan.

Tags: Kazakhstan, export, barley