For many years, the high quality of Kazakh grain has traditionally caused great demand on it on the global market. At the same time, in several recent years the quality of Kazakh grains began decreasing which respectively reduced the export potential of the country, first of all in the segment of wheat.
Whether the similar situation will continue developing in 2017, or it is necessary to expect for returning on former qualitative level? In this context, we have managed to talk about these and other issues with the business manager of the department of agro-industrial complex at SGS Kazakhstan Ltd., Evgenia Kazbekova.
- The harvest works in Kazakhstan have already passed the equator. Whether it is possible to draw some conclusions about the quality of grains in the current season?
Yes, for the moment being, the most part of all grains, 20 mln tonnes has already harvested and the expectations on harvested grain quality are encouraging. It is well-known that soil and climatic conditions in Kazakhstan are very favorable for the cultivation of wheat, barley, corn and rice (in the south). Thus, three oblasts of the country – Kostanay, North Kazakhstan and Akmola oblasts – annually produce nearly 70% of the general wheat harvest of wheat. Besides, this year the big crop is also expected to be in the Aktyubinsk region that happens not every year. At the same time, nearly 90% of all wheat grown up in Kazakhstan accounts on spring wheat, the most sought-after type in the world market.
- Are there any cardinal differences of grain quality comparing with 2016? And how does the quality grain differ in various regions?
The grain quality of the current year is much more better that that of 2016. First of all, it is caused by the weather factor – this year climatic conditions were very favorable for the formation of grain quality. Dry weather with a good temperature allowed to grow up wheat with the high protein content, gluten and enough natural weight.
It is also necessary to note almost total absence of the effect of grain germination in the ear. The average size of the "falling number" indicator of new harvest grain is more than 300 sec. As for the protein content, thus it’s quantity on dry weather even in the Aktyubinsk region limits of 13.5–17.5%.
According to qualitative characteristics the Kostanay region is traditionally allocated where the average protein content of wheat is nearly 14%.
Also it should be specially noted high quality of new harvest hard wheat. In 2017 the weather conditions during maturing promoted formation of high-protein hard grain with a high vitrescence. Thus, tested according to the international standards ICC 129, EN 15585 the vitrescence is in the range of 65-95% that offers the ability of grain trading with the countries of Europe and Turkey.
- Has the reduction of mineral fertilizes application anyway affected the grain quality in the current year?
It is well known that the major factors defining quantity and quality of the harvest are climatic conditions, quality of sowing material and the agricultural technician. In this context, while speaking about the current year, it seems to me that the effect of reduction the used mineral fertilizers isn't too noticeable in terms of favorable climatic conditions and short time of influence.
- 3-grade wheat is the traditional key grain crop in Kazakhstan, however in recent years its harvest volumes considerably declined due to weather conditions. What is the situation in 2017?
This year we have heard "complaints" of agrarians about the deficit of 5-grade wheat but not 3-grade wheat. According to preliminary data, the amount of new harvest soft wheat conforming the requirements of 3-grade grain and exceeding those, is approximately at the level of 60%. And that is one more difference of this season from the previous one. The results of 2017 grain harvest screening (within "the map of quality") have shown the prevailing amount of grain with a high natural weight (more than 75 kg/hl), protein content (14% and more) and glutens (more than 25%) that is at the level and exceeds the requirements for 3-grade wheat according to GOST 9353-2016 and STRK 1046-2008.
- Does the quality of 2017 Kazakhstan grain harvest wheat allow to the country to keep the high positions in this segment of the global market? Do you expect for some changes of the export geography due to the quality of grain?
We suppose that rather high quality of 2017 grain harvest allows expecting for keeping of good positions of Kazakhstan in the global grain market. The main countries traditionally buying wheat in Kazakhstan are China, Turkey, the UAE and the countries of Europe (Finland, Spain and others). But this year, in my opinion, we should expect on the expansion of sales market. It is accepted to call the Kazakhstan grain "medicine for bread" in Europe. Mixing "weak" European flour with our "strong", they receive qualitative production.
At the same time, the main obstacle for getting to the European markets is the remoteness from Europe. It complicates logistics, raises transportation costs that negatively affects price competitiveness of our grain. Nevertheless, I hope that rather high quality of wheat in the current year will allow the Kazakhstan traders to break these barriers.
Interviewed by Alexander Pryadko, APK-Inform Agency
