Kazakhstan grain harvest running 7–10 days late due to rains – Grain UnionKazakhstan’s grain harvest is running behind schedule due to persistent rains, while the quality of wheat is so far below expectations, Yevgeny Karabanov, head of analytics at the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, told Interfax-Kazakhstan."Because of rainy weather, harvesting this year is 7–10 days behind the long-term average. We hope farmers will be able to make up for lost time and gather a solid crop," Karabanov said.He noted that weather conditions in most regions were generally favorable for growing grains, legumes, oilseeds and forage crops. But droughts in the south during spring and summer reduced yields there."In the main grain-producing regions in the north and east, sowing and harvesting were hampered by rain. At the same time, those spring and summer rains supported good crop growth," Karabanov said.He added that wheat quality is lagging expectations because cool, wet weather in August affected the ripening and filling stages."In the current harvest, 1st to 4th grade wheat accounts for more than 75%, which is more than enough to guarantee the country’s food security. Feed wheat is also essential for livestock and poultry production, as well as for processing. High-quality wheat will be in demand both at home and abroad," Karabanov said.According to the Grain Union’s preliminary forecast, Kazakhstan’s 2025 grain harvest will total 21.7 million tonnes, including 16.2 million tonnes of wheat.As of September 4, farmers had harvested 4.6 million hectares, or 28.7% of the total sown area of grain and legumes, yielding 6.5 million tonnes so far. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: Interfax