Kazakhstan's Wheat Imports Soar Sixfold Amid Record Exports

Kazakhstan has significantly increased its imports of Russian wheat in the current season, with 1.92 million tons imported from September to July 2025/26, a sixfold increase compared to the same period last year.

This surge in imports comes as Kazakhstan records its highest ever exports of wheat, with 8.3 million tons shipped out over the first 11 months of the season, representing a 15.7% year-on-year increase and exceeding all previous records.

The country's main export destinations for wheat are Central Asia countries, particularly Uzbekistan, which alone accounted for 60% of shipments, followed by Afghanistan, Turkey, and Iran. However, Kazakhstan's wheat exports to China declined by 4.2 times due to a shift in demand towards feed flour, with shipments reaching 1.4 million tons, a 72% increase.

The Grain Union of Kazakhstan has raised its forecast for Russian wheat imports this season by 50,000 tons, now predicting 2.05 million tons, while maintaining the full-season export target at 8.8 million tons.