The main problems that Kazakh grain exporters face are competition with Russian and logistical issues, Head of National Association of Exporters "KazGrain" Zeynolla Abdumanapov said on November 11 in Astana at Asia Grains & Oils Conference in Qazaqstan 2022.
He noted that Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan and China area the key markets for Kazakh grain. Supplies to Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan are growing as well.
“Countries of the Persian Gulf and the EU are also interested in import of Kazakh grain”, – Z. Abdumanapov added.
Kazakhstan harvested high crop this season. KazGrain sees the export potential at 10.4 mln tonnes in 2022/23 MY, but its realization is hindered by two main problems – competition with Russian origin and difficulties with logistics in Kazakhstan.
"For obvious reasons, the Russian export market is narrowing... The unprecedented harvest is putting pressure on their market, and Russian exporters are looking for new sales markets, first of all, through Kazakhstan, then to the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan. The only restraining factor so far is our transit duty, but even with it, Russian grain is sometimes cheaper than our", – the speaker emphasized.
As for logistics, the problem points for Kazakh exporters are the shortage of wagons and the low speed of rolling stock. At many railway stations, the capacity does not allow processing more than 100 wagons per day, Z. Abdumanapov clarified.
The restrictions of the KTZ in the direction to China is another negative factor for exports from Kazakhstan.
"Since 2020, KTZ has repeatedly introduced bans in the direction to China. Although, China is interested in import of Kazakh products", – Z. Abdumanapov said.
