Kazakhstan posts record flour exports after shifting to new markets

Kazakhstan exported 2.174 mln tons of wheat flour in the MY 2025/26, the highest volume in seven years and up 17.9% from the previous season. The share of exports in total production increased to 54.4% from 52.8% a year earlier.

Wheat flour production also reached an all-time high of 3.995 mln tons, rising 14.5% y/y. Export growth was supported by a strong wheat harvest and a shift toward new and expanding markets.

The largest increase came from Afghanistan, where shipments rose by 254.2 thsd tons, or 23.6%. Exports to Kyrgyzstan increased 1.66-fold, deliveries to Turkmenistan rose 1.5-fold, while shipments to Tajikistan grew by 35.9%.

At the same time, Kazakhstan is losing part of its traditional markets. Uzbekistan cut imports of Kazakh flour by 65.2 thsd tons, or 15.3%, over the season as it expanded domestic grain processing. Shipments to China fell 3.9-fold and were effectively absent during the past eight months.

Higher demand from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan therefore helped Kazakhstan offset weaker sales to Uzbekistan and China. At the same time, stronger competition in Central Asia is pushing Kazakh exporters to further diversify their sales markets.

Tags: export, flour, Kazakhstan