Kazakhstan's harvest forecasts and export prospectsThe harvest of grain is in full swing in the fields of Kazakhstan. Its outcome determines not only the country's internal food security but also the volumes of export supplies to foreign markets.The total harvested area this year is 23.6 million hectares, of which over 16 million hectares are grains and legumes. According to the latest operational data from the Ministry of Agriculture, 10.2 million hectares of grain (64% of the total area) have been harvested, with an average yield of 15.2 centners per hectare, resulting in 15.5 million tonnes of grain threshed so far.GRAIN AND OILSEEDS HARVEST FORECASTThe head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Aidarbek Saparov, stated at a recent government meeting that the harvest campaign in the regions started on time and is progressing faster than last year.Earlier, Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov noted that Kazakhstan's grain harvest in 2025 could exceed 20 million tonnes, provided good weather conditions. Saparov, however, estimated the harvest forecast at 24 million tonnes, which, he stated, would fully meet the domestic market's needs for food grain, fodder, and seeds, while also maintaining export volumes.The minister assured that no problems with crop storage are expected: the total capacity of grain storage facilities in Kazakhstan is 30.7 million tonnes.At the same time, Saparov noted, a real record is forecasted for the oilseed market. The area under oilseeds has been significantly increased this year to 4 million hectares (compared to 2.9 million hectares in 2024), including 1.7 million hectares under sunflower. In 2024, Kazakhstan harvested 3.3 million tonnes of oilseeds, which is 57% more than in 2023.RESTRAINED MARKET VIEWMarket experts view the situation more cautiously. For example, according to the Grain Union's forecast, the 2025 grain harvest in the country will amount to 21.7 million tonnes - almost 12% less than last year's record figure. This includes an expected wheat harvest of about 16.2 million tonnes, compared to 18.6 million tonnes in 2024.The decrease is linked to a reduction in wheat sown areas as part of a diversification program. Farmers are betting on more profitable crops - legumes and oilseeds, explains the head of the union's analytical department, Yevgeny Karabanov.According to Karabanov, the increase in crops was not only due to spring and summer precipitation, but also due to expanded state support: preferential loans for sowing and harvesting, equipment leasing programs, subsidies for fertilizers and plant protection products, as well as affordable diesel fuel.75% of the wheat falls into food grades 1-4, which is sufficient for internal food security. The rest is fodder, in demand for livestock breeding and processing. "High-quality wheat will be in demand both domestically and in foreign markets," Karabanov notes. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX