January 21, 2004

Kazakhstan To Export 1.8 Million MT 2003 Grain In 2004

Kazakhstan is in a position to export in 2004 1.8 million metric tons of grain harvested in 2003, in addition to the 2.9 million tons of 2003 grain exported to date, Arman Evniev, head of the farming department at the agriculture ministry said in Astana Tuesday.

Evniev said the government would not impose limitations on the exports within the 1.8 million tons because that amount would not reduce stocks to critical levels. Stocks currently stand at 4.169 million tons.

Kazakhstan exported in the 2002-2003 marketing season 6.5 million tons of grain and harvested in 2003 17.5 million tons, compared with 15.9 million tons in 2002.