June 19, 2012

Turkmenistan to export 300,000 tonnes wheat

About 300,000 tonnes of the 2011 wheat harvest volume that exceeded the country's demand are being planned to be sold by the TurkmenGallaOnumlery (Turkmen Grain Association) at foreign markets through the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of the country, an official Turkmen source said Monday (June 18).

The corresponding decree was signed by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The document aims at further increasing the country's export potential to sell wheat in connection with an increase in its production as a result of measures implemented in the agricultural sector.

Despite the drought year, more than 1.3 million tonnes of wheat was collected in 2011. This year, the bread grain covered 860,000 hectares of land. It is planned to collect 1.6 million tonnes.

In particular, it is planned to collect 450,000 tonnes in the Akhal region, 380,000 tonnes in Mary, 350,000 tonnes in Lebap, 300,000 tonnes in Dashoguz and 120,000 tonnes in Balkan region.

About 2000 combine harvesters will be used in the harvest campaign. Approximately 6,000 trucks will transport wheat to the receiving points and elevators. Each of 158 receiving stations has been equipped with laboratories.

Turkmenistan was among the countries exporting wheat in 2010. About 1.5 million tonnes of wheat was collected during that period.

About 217,000 tonnes of wheat, including 150,000 tonnes in the form of wheat, 50,000 tonnes in the form of flour (on account of 67,000 tonnes of wheat) was put up for the auction of the harvest volume of 2010 exceeding domestic demand.