Kazakhstan Grain Output Expected to Drop Significantly in Upcoming Season

Kazakhstan's grain output is expected to drop significantly in the upcoming season, according to forecasts from the International Grains Council (IGC). The country's total grain harvest for 2026-27 is projected at 20.3 million tonnes, a decline from 24.2 million tonnes in the previous season. Wheat production is seen falling to 15.3 million tonnes from 19.3 million, while barley output is forecasted at 3.2 million tonnes, down from 3.6 million.

The IGC also forecasts grain exports for 2026-27 at 10.5 million tonnes, including 9 million tonnes of wheat and 1.3 million tonnes of barley, both lower than the previous year's figures. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture suggests that bumper harvests from recent years are unlikely to recur, citing weather conditions and market dynamics.

Kazakhstan's wheat remains its primary crop, with over 11 million hectares slated for harvest in 2026-27, roughly 1 million hectares less than two seasons ago. The country has been shifting land to oilseeds in search of better returns, leading to a decline in wheat acreage.