Astana (TDI): Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s leading grain producer, is broadening its export markets to include Africa.
The national grain operator, Food Contract Corporation, has signed preliminary deals to supply 300,000 tons of food wheat to Morocco and other North African nations by the end of the current marketing season, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Over 200,000 tons of wheat have already been contracted for shipment to African markets.
The Corporation’s export strategy stressed market diversification, prioritizing the European Union, the Middle East and North Africa region, Southeast Asia, and neighboring states like Afghanistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia.
Kazakhstan’s traditional grain buyers include Central Asian countries, China, and Turkiye.
To facilitate broader exports, Kazakhstan is prepared to transport grain via the Azov, Black, and Baltic Sea ports.
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Last year, Kazakhstan harvested 26.7 million tons of grain, its largest yield in thirteen years, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The country exported 8.1 million tons of grain in 2024, including between 6.5 and 7.5 million tons of wheat.
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For the 2025 season, Kazakhstan aims to export about 12 million tons of newly harvested grain.
Efforts to secure new markets are ongoing, with talks focused on increasing agricultural exports to Azerbaijan, China, Iran, North Africa, and EU nations, as well as to Uzbekistan and Georgia, through access points at Black and Baltic Sea ports.
