NUR-SULTAN, KAZAKHSTAN — Wheat flour exports from Kazakhstan are projected to decrease by 21% in the 2021-22 marketing year, compared to the previous year, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The report said the decrease in shipments was mainly due to reduced exports to war-torn Afghanistan. However, flour exports to Turkmenistan are forecast to triple from 5,184 tonnes last year to 18,589 tonnes in 2021-22, according to the USDA.

“Contacts noted that Turkmenistan’s lower wheat production in 2021-22 resulted in greater imports from Kazakhstan,” the USDA said.

Uzbekistan continued to be the top importer of Kazakhstani wheat, having imported 860,000 tonnes through the first eight months of the current marketing year. Afghanistan was second with 380,678 tonnes, and Turkmenistan followed with 139,977 tonnes, the report said.

“Contacts noted that buyers in Turkmenistan are likely also re-exporting Kazakhstani wheat to Afghanistan,” the USDA said.