Kazakhstan seeks for new markets for its grain

Azerbaijan, Baku, 20 October / corr. Trend E. Kosolapova /

Kazakhstan is considering possibility for exporting grain to the African and European countries, the Food Contract Corporation of Kazakhstan told Trend.

"This year Kazakhstan plans to reap a record grain harvest of 60 years - about 23 million tons, Spokesman for the Food Corporation Kuralbek Atamuratov told Trend by phone on Thursday. "Thus, we are looking for additional markets."

Kazakhstan harvested 27.8 million tons of cereals from 98.3 percent of the area by October 18, Novosti-Kazakhstan reported.

This year Kazakhstan plans to harvest 22-23 million tons of grain in net weight. The country's export potential is estimated at 10 million tons.

According to Atamuratov, eight million tons of the grain harvest will be used for domestic consumption, the six million tons for traditional markets (Central Asia, Iran, Azerbaijan and other neighboring countries), while five million tons will be bought by Food Corporation to stabilize the market. The rest volume of grain will be exported to new markets.

"Food Corporation will offset grain transportation expenditures in the amount of $40 per ton to stimulate exports through Russia and China," Atamuradov said.

According to Atamuratov, price of Kazakh grain will not drop, the world sees a steady demand for grain after a drought in the U.S. and Canada, and heavy rains in European countries.

Earlier Kazakhstan signed an agreement with Russian Federation to transport 5,500 wags to insure stable grain export.

"Kazakhstan itself has 5,200 wags for grain transporting," Atamuratov added.