The export of Kazakh flour in 2023 can reach 2.28 mln tonnes, which is 20% higher year-on-year, according to the forecast of the Union of Grain Processor of Kazakhstan, said Alikhan Talgatbek at the international conference “Eurasian Agricom” in Astana on March 15.
He also said that in 2022 the export of flour from Kazakhstan was 23.5% higher compared to 2021 and amounted to 1.88 mln tonnes.
Afghanistan was a leading importer of Kazakh flour in 2022 with 1.28 mln tonnes (+30% y-o-y).
Uzbekistan also increased the import of the Kazakh product last year – by 2% to 381 thsd tonnes.
At the same time, in 2022 Tajikistan reduced the imports by 16% to 60 thsd tonnes.
Kyrgyzstan did not import flour from Kazakhstan last year (in 2021 the import totaled 27 thsd tonnes, and in 2020 – 81 thsd tonnes).
At the same time, the purchases of Kazakh flour were increased by the countries, that were not among the largest importers list – by 50% to 80 thsd tonnes, which demonstrates the attempts of Kazakh flour millers to enter new markets.
According to the Union of Grain Processors, today the main risks in the Kazakh flour market, that may prevent the realization of production and export potential, are the smuggling of Russian products, problems with the return of the VAT to flour exporters, and difficulties with logistics.
