NUR-SULTAN, KAZAKHSTAN — Given yield concerns due to a smaller snow stock and anticipated hot summer, Kazakhstan’s wheat production is expected to hold steady in the 2021-22 marketing year at 13.2 million tonnes, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Harvested area is estimated at 11.9 million hectares but given the dry conditions, yield is expected to drop compared to the 2020-21 marketing year.

The Millers Union reported that wheat flour production in Kazakhstan in 2019-20 reached 3.325 million tonnes, a 2% increase from the previous year. The milling industry has managed constraints related to COVID-19. Therefore, consumption is expected to remain flat.

Since the beginning of 2021, Kazakhstan continued negotiations with the Chinese authorities to include Kazakhstani companies into Chinese list of eligible export enterprises, the USDA said.

Thus, another 195 enterprises producing and processing soybeans, alfalfa, barley, corn, and flax were accepted to the list. Kazakhstan continues to negotiate on behalf of other enterprises producing peas, safflower, lentils, potato, and meals.

Wheat imports from Russia are estimated at 800,000 tonnes due to the price advantage that mills may continue to enjoy due to Russian export duties.