Asia Largest Grain producer Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan exports hit record despite severe drought

April. 19th, 2013

 Kazakhstan (Reuters) — Kazakhstan exported 5.2 million tonnes of grain between July 1, 2012, and April 1, 2013, compared to 8.3 million tonnes in the same period the previous year, said a senior agriculture ministry official.


The country, which is central Asia’s largest grain producer, could potentially export a further two million tonnes of grain by the end of the current marketing year, said Sagintai Zhumazhanov, head of the ministry’s land development department.


Commenting on reports that Egypt was considering resuming wheat imports from Kazakhstan after a two-year hiatus, Zhumazhanov said: “If they wish, we are ready to sell. I have told you about our remaining potential … so they are welcome to partake of this chunk of the pie.”


Zhumazhanov said Russia and the European Union had become important new destinations for Kazakh grain exports this marketing year. 


Kazakhstan suffered a severe drought last year but still exported a record 12.1 million tonnes of grain in the last marketing year.