August 16, 2006

Kazakhstan harvests 1.26 million tonnes grain in year to Aug 10

Kazakhstan harvested 1.26 million tonnes of grain to Aug 10, compared with 1.5 million tonnes by the same date last year, the agriculture ministry reported Tuesday (Aug 15).

The average yield to date was 1.23 tonnes a hectare, compared with 1.57 tonnes/ha a year ago.

Farmers are currently harvesting winter grains in Kazakhstan's southern regions, while the main grain producing regions in the north are only planning to begin harvest Aug 25, the delay being caused by heavy rains and low temperatures.

The agriculture ministry expects this year's grain harvest at 15 million-16 million tonnes in bunker weight on 14.5 million hectares, the same area as last year.

In 2005, Kazakhstan harvested 13.5 million tonnes of grain in clean weight, 9.4 percent more than in 2004.