May 26, 2008

Kazakhstan forecasts 2008 grain yield at 15.9 million tonnes

Kazakhstan projects to harvest 15.9 million tonnes of grain in 2008, down from last year's 20.1 million tonnes, the Agriculture Ministry said Friday.

The ministry said that the harvest will still depend on the weather conditions this summer season.

Kazakhstan has exported 8.8 million tonnes of grain out of last year's record harvest.

Domestic consumption this year was pegged at around 9-9.5 million tonnes and the rest will be exported.

Kazakhstan last month suspended wheat exports until September to curb rising food prices.