December 15, 2003

Kazakhstan May Impose Wheat Export Quota

Kazakhstan is preparing a decree imposing 2.5 million metric ton wheat export quota, to stay in effect

between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31 2004, an agriculture ministry official said in Astana Monday.

Kazakhstan exported 2.1 million metric tons of grain to Dec. 1 harvested this year, compared with just over 1.5 million tons on the same date last year.

Kazkahstan's grain is cheaper than that produced in Russia and Ukraine, whose harvests this year are down on 2002 levels, and Kazakhstan's government is trying to prevent exports in excess of five million tons in the current marketing season.

Kazahkstan harvested this year 17.5 million tons of grain, compared with 15.9 million tons in 2002.