December 15, 2010

Kazakhstan's 2010 grain exports surpass last year's by 34.5%

Kazakhstan has presently exceeded its 2009 grain exports by 34.5%, Agriculture Minister Akylbek Kurishbayev said Tuesday (Dec 14).

"Since 2010 the export shipped more than 8.2 million tonnes of grain-based flour in grain equivalent, which is already higher than last year by 34.5%," said Kurishbayev.

"This year, according to preliminary data akims of regions, grain output totaled 13.9 million tonnes at an average yield of nine tonnes per hectare, which is lower than last year at 4.9 tonnes per hectare," he added.

The minister said that during 11 months of this year the volume of crop production fell by 22.7% against the decline in production due to drought, and production of livestock products increased by 3.1%.

He also reported that the country bought only 5% of the planned amount of coarse grains.

"It is of some concern to the situation with the formation of coarse grain fund. To date, out of a planned 114,000 tonnes purchased 5.8 tonnes or 5%. In this connection, will need to intensify this work and in these case, local executive bodies should provide the necessary assistance," said the minister.