Kazakhstan prepares full wheat import ban after sixfold surge in supplies from Russia

Kazakhstan plans to significantly tighten restrictions on wheat imports amid a sharp increase in grain supplies from Russia. The Ministry of Agriculture has drafted an order that would impose a complete ban on wheat imports by road, rail and water for six months.

Wheat imports into Kazakhstan are already restricted, but exemptions currently apply to poultry and grain processing companies, licensed elevators and the Food Corporation. Under the proposed rules, imports would be permitted only for the Food Corporation, effectively closing the domestic market to other buyers of imported wheat.

The tighter restrictions come amid a sharp increase in Russian wheat supplies. According to the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, the country 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.

Additional pressure is coming from the Russian grain market. Export problems through Black Sea and Azov Sea ports have resulted in significant volumes of grain accumulating domestically and pushed local prices lower. This increases the risk of cheaper Russian wheat flowing into neighboring markets, including Kazakhstan.

The tighter restrictions are expected to reduce pressure from imported grain on Kazakhstan’s domestic market and support local producers during the new-crop marketing period. The proposed ban would remain in force for six months.

Tags: Kazakhstan, grain, wheat, imports, restrictions