As of July 1 this year, Kazakhstan's grain reserves stand at 6.1mn tons, comprising 4.5mn tons of food grain and 1.4mn tons of feed grain, an official information resource of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan shared.
The government of Kazakhstan, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin, convened a meeting to address issues concerning the upcoming grain harvest.
Key stakeholders, including representatives from the Grain Union and the Union of Field Farmers, participated in discussions centered around grain storage, export strategies, and mitigating potential risks during harvesting.
Kazakhstan boasts a substantial grain storage capacity, totaling approximately 30mn tons. This includes 13.4mn tons managed by 191 licensed grain-receiving enterprises, and an additional 16.6mn tons held by agricultural producers. This capacity is deemed sufficient to accommodate both the average annual harvest and carryover grain stocks.
Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov expressed optimism regarding the harvest outlook, citing favorable weather conditions and promising crop statuses indicating a volume above the average.
Vice Minister Sultanov emphasized the importance of organizational preparedness at the regional level, particularly in ensuring grain acceptance and adequate drying capacities to prevent potential weather-related complications.
The meeting also focused on enhancing the efficiency of grain sales, with a particular emphasis on accelerating exports. In 2023, Kazakhstan achieved a record of 2.2mn tons of grain shipped by rail to China, facilitated by collaborative efforts between the government, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), and industry associations.
Bauyrzhan Urynbasarov, Managing Director of NC KTZ, outlined plans for 2024, reporting that 757,000 tons of grain have already been shipped in the first half of the year. The plan for the second half aims at shipping 1.25mn tons, with preparations to exceed 2mn tons for the year, ensuring efficient distribution among senders.
Serik Zhumangarin proposed exploring additional avenues for grain transportation, including potential road shipments to China, pending discussions with Chinese counterparts.
During the meeting, Muratbek Isabayev, Executive Director of the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, proposed measures to support farmers, including subsidies for fuel used in grain dryers during inclement weather.
Responding to this, Deputy Prime Minister Zhumangarin instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to explore funding options for farmers to acquire drying equipment, underscoring the government's commitment to supporting agricultural readiness.
Deputy Prime Minister Zhumangarin urged regional authorities to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure all necessary measures are in place for a smooth and successful harvest season.
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