NUR-SULTAN, KAZAKHSTAN — Wheat production in Kazakhstan in 2019-20 is estimated at 11.5 million tonnes, 2.4 million tonnes, or 17%, lower than the previous year as a dry summer and rains during harvest had a significant impact on output, according to a March 4 Global Agricultural Information Network report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The USDA noted that total harvest of grains and pulses in 2019-20 totaled 19.7 million tonnes, a decline of 14% compared to the previous year.

Barley production in 2019-20 has been revised downward to 3.8 million tonnes for similar reasons, the USDA said.

The concerns aren’t just limited to quantity, the agency said.

“Exporters have expressed concern about wheat and barley quality for the current season,” the USDA said.

The agency said the 2020-21 wheat harvest is not expected to be much better, as if projects output at 12 million tonnes, just slightly higher than the current marketing year.