The main importers of Kazakhstani agricultural crops in the new season will remain Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, China, Iran and Tajikistan. However, the fundamental factor will be the price of grain. Exporters expect its gradual increase. The Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Exporters KazGrain Zeinolla Abdumanapov told the APK News agency about what the new harvest will be like, grain prices and export prospects.
To our question about what the 2025 harvest will be like, Z. Abdumanapov answered:
“First of all, it should be noted that the southern regions of Kazakhstan lost their harvest due to drought. At the same time, favorable weather conditions during the spring field work and summer precipitation gave farmers a greater opportunity to harvest a good crop. The main thing is that precipitation does not interfere with harvesting at present. In 2025, we expect a harvest of about 18-19 million tons of grain and leguminous crops.”
Speaking about the quality of the new harvest, our interlocutor said that precipitation in August and early September had a negative impact on it.
“Depending on the region, we expect average quality wheat. There will be little wheat with a high protein content,” the Association believes.
The starting prices for wheat are as follows:
Wheat class 4 - 80-85 thousand tenge,
Wheat class 3 (gluten 23-24) - 85-90 thousand tenge,
Wheat class 3 (gluten 25-27) - 90-100 thousand tenge.
Wheat class 3 (gluten 28-30) - 100-110 thousand tenge.
Wheat hi-pro 31-35 - 115-125 thousand tenge.
Predicting exports in the new season, Zeinolla Abdumanapov emphasized that Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, China, Iran and Tajikistan will remain the main importers of Kazakh agricultural crops.
“The main issue is the price. Compared to last year, the current price for grain is satisfactory. We expect a gradual increase in price. However, the low demand and price from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are puzzling,” Z. Abdumanapov noted.
Traders in a conversation with a correspondent of the APK Novosti agency agreed regarding the low demand and low price from buyers from Central Asia. At the same time, they said that a similar situation is observed annually.
“Every year this happens, low demand - in order to “break” the price. At the same time, they buy everything cheaper. They constantly “cry” so that the price falls. They buy grain at 40-50 thousand tenge per ton. Ours also pay subsidies for transportation. We believe that quotas should be created to export a certain amount to Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, with an increased tariff, with an increased transit tariff for Russian grain. Just like they do to us. For 700 km, we pay $50-56 per ton to Afghanistan in transit. For 2,000 km, they pay only $30-40. We need to introduce adequate tariffs and set quotas. Wheat should be exported at a high price. Uzbek and Afghan traders earn $70-80 net per ton, and we are all sitting at a loss,” said trader Pavel Lavrushin.
As reported by the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, prices for logistics in the direction of Central Asian countries have increased by 30%