China is top importer of Kazakhstan’s barley
Compared to 2023, China’s barley imports almost quadrupled to 723,000 MT, according to a report of the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Grain producers estimate barley production at 3.25 million tons due to high yield prospects, Kazinform reports.
According to FAS estimates, barley exports in MY2024/25 will be at 1.5 million tons due to the higher production outlook. This forecast is based on competitive export prices and trader expectations of steady demand from China.
“Higher production led to higher exports, with July to February MY 2023/2024 exports at 939,000 MT, a nearly 30 percent increase over the same time last year. Since the beginning of the marketing year, China has risen to be the top importer of Kazakh barley. At 723,000 MT, Chinese imports increased by nearly four-fold from the same period last year. Uzbekistan became the second largest importer of barley at 123,000 MT,” the report reads.
Wheat production is likely to be restored in MY 2024/25 “as higher spring moisture carries the crop through the summer.”
FAS reminds that West and North Kazakhstan were heavily hit by devastating flooding this marketing year, with some districts of Atyrau, Kostanay, and Almola most impacted. Grain storage facilities and other infrastructure were heavily damaged.
FAS forecasts that in MY 2024/25 wheat imports will be at 2 million tons, “as demand for Russian wheat from local mills and poultry farms is expected to continue.” Meanwhile, wheat exports are estimated to be at 1.1 million tons.
“Kazakhstan continues to expand trade with China and reached an agreement with Chinese companies to ship 200,000 MT of various agricultural commodities, including wheat, barley, flax, rapeseed, oats, sunflower, peas, lentils, rye, and other crops. There are some indications that rail stations, customs and quarantine are struggling to keep up with the increased volume.
From September to February MY 2023/2024, Kazakhstan exported 4.1 million metric tons of wheat and wheat flour, a 20 percent decrease from the same period last marketing year. Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan remained the top three buyers of Kazakhstani wheat and wheat flour. Wheat exports to Uzbekistan were reported at 1.8 million metric ton, a decrease of 18 percent compared to the same period the prior marketing year. Afghanistan was the second largest importer at 889,000 MT, a decrease of 36 percent. Tajikistan imported 615,000 tons, a decrease of 5 percent. Meanwhile exports to China are reported at 254,000 MT, a seven-fold increase from the same period last year. Traders note that this increase in attributable to Chinese buyers’ interest in importing feed quality wheat from Kazakhstan,” the report reads.
