Kazakhstan’s lentil exports surge toward record high

Kazakhstan’s lentil exports have increased 1.5 times year-on-year during the first five months of the 2025/26 marketing year, approaching a historic record. According to the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, total shipments have reached 315,300 tons, nearly matching the previous season’s full-year record.

At the same time, exports in January dropped to 13,500 tons, down 58% from December, reflecting seasonal fluctuations in trade flows. Despite this decline, the overall trend remains positive, supported by strong external demand.

Turkey remains the key importer of Kazakh lentils, increasing its purchases by more than 2.6 times to 291,200 tons. Its share in total exports has reached 92%, highlighting its dominant position among buyers.

Additional shipments were made to Afghanistan (4,200 tons), Azerbaijan (2,000 tons), and Kyrgyzstan (1,300 tons), although volumes to these destinations declined year-on-year. Smaller quantities were also exported to European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian countries, as well as China, where shipments rose to 7,600 tons compared to just 1,000 tons last season.

Analysts forecast that Kazakhstan’s lentil exports could reach 440,000 tons in the 2025/26 marketing year, setting a new all-time record. Despite a downward revision of 30,000 tons, overall volumes remain historically high amid sustained global demand.