Kazakhstan increases Russian wheat imports sixfold amid record-high exports

Kazakhstan imported 1.92 mln tons of wheat from Russia in September–July 2025/26, 5.9 times more than in the same period of the previous season. Imports totaled 125 thsd tons in July compared with 130 thsd tons in June. The Grain Union of Kazakhstan raised its forecast for Russian wheat imports in 2025/26 by 50 thsd tons to 2.05 mln tons.

At the same time, Kazakhstan is posting record wheat exports. During the first 11 months of the season, the country shipped 8.3 mln tons of common and durum wheat, up 15.7% year-on-year and the highest volume on record. Kazakhstan has already exported 94.3% of its projected wheat export potential, while the forecast for the full 2025/26 season remains at 8.8 mln tons.

Central Asia remains the main destination for Kazakh wheat, accounting for 6.48 mln tons, or 78% of total exports, during the 11-month period. Uzbekistan alone accounted for 60% of shipments. Compared with the previous season, exports to Uzbekistan increased by 40%, Afghanistan by 2.6 times, Turkey by 27 times and Iran by 508 times.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s wheat exports to China fell 4.2 times to 35.7 thsd tons. The decline was offset by a 72% increase in feed flour shipments to China, which reached 1.4 mln tons. Wheat exports to Italy, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and several other markets also declined.

Tags: Kazakhstan, export, wheat, imports