Kazakhstan Tightens Wheat Import Restrictions

Kazakhstan is planning to tighten its wheat import restrictions in a bid to support local producers. The country implemented a partial six-month ban on wheat imports in July, with exceptions for rail shipments destined for poultry farms and grain-processing businesses.

A draft government resolution seen by Maritime Reporter would remove grain processors and poultry producers from the list of importers, effectively eliminating their ability to source wheat from abroad.

The move is expected to impact Russia's wheat exports, which have been under pressure due to stuck shipments along the Azov-Black Sea export corridor. Kazakhstan imports around 2 million metric tons of wheat from Russia annually, with the majority arriving between September and July.