Kazakhstan, Astana, Aug. 13/ Trend D.Mukhtarov /
In Kazakhstan, the forecast of the gross grain harvest in net weight amounts to nearly 16.3 million tons, the Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan Asylzhan Mamytbekov told reporters on Tuesday after the government meeting.
"To date, more than 67 percent of the crops are in good condition, while more than 30 percent - in satisfactory condition. Due to this, the forecast of the gross grain harvest in net weight is set at about 16.3 million tons," the Minister said.
He noted that the current harvest is one of the most uneasy ones due to the rainy summer.
"Harvesting will not go easy. Humid weather, lack of sun and heat this summer as well as excessive humidity already produce the negative effect. However, we hope as the weather is established, we would be able to complete the harvest with minimal losses," the Minister said.
Talking about grain prices, Mamytbekov reminded that a tendency towards their reduction has been observed since the beginning of the year.
"Grain prices constitute quite a market and understandable phenomenon, and if there is a large crop, this trend will be observed. With regards to prices fro bread, I think they would fall as well as prices for flour," the Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan said.