Kazakhstan increases wheat flour exports by 25%

Kazakhstan exported 1.38 mln tons of wheat flour in January–August 2026, up 24.5% compared with the same period last year. According to the Union of Grain Processors of Kazakhstan, export revenue increased by 39.6% to $399.9 mln, compared with $286.4 mln a year earlier. Thus, export earnings grew faster than physical shipment volumes.

Afghanistan remains the largest buyer of Kazakh wheat flour, accounting for more than 60% of total exports. During the eight-month period, shipments to the country increased by 47.5% to 874.3 thsd tons. In value terms, exports rose by 70% to $246.8 mln, highlighting the growing importance of the Afghan market for Kazakhstan’s flour milling industry.

Uzbekistan remains the second-largest export destination, although shipments declined by 13% to 222.2 thsd tons. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan increased wheat flour exports to Kyrgyzstan by 14.9% to 134.4 thsd tons, Turkmenistan by 13.3% to 80 thsd tons, and Tajikistan by 53.1% to 45.9 thsd tons. Shipments to Russia and Belarus also increased.

The production of feed flour and feed mixtures represents another growing segment of Kazakhstan’s grain processing industry. In January–August, exports of these products reached 2.4 mln tons worth $577.6 mln. This segment generates additional demand for grain and enables the country to increase the share of value-added products in its agricultural exports.

The Union of Grain Processors of Kazakhstan noted that export volumes and revenues continued to grow despite increasing competition in regional markets. Further development of grain processing remains a priority of the country’s agricultural policy, with Kazakhstan aiming to increase the share of processed products in total exports to 70%. Central Asian countries and Afghanistan remain the main destinations for Kazakh wheat flour.