Kazakhstan expects record oilseed harvest of over 5 million tonnes

At a meeting of the Government of Kazakhstan, Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov reported on the progress of the harvest. To date, 3.7 million tonnes of oilseeds have been harvested, compared with 1.4 million tonnes a year earlier. A record oilseed harvest of over 5 million tonnes is expected by the end of the campaign.

Grain and leguminous crops occupy 15.6 million ha, of which 96% has been harvested. 23 million tonnes of grain have been threshed, with an average yield of 15.2 c/ha. North Kazakhstan Region is achieving 17 c/ha, Kostanay Region 14.2 c/ha and Akmola Region 14 c/ha. The growing season took place in difficult weather conditions, and the area under wheat was reduced by 1.8 million ha. Nevertheless, the gross harvest is forecast to exceed the long-term average.

More than 72.4% of the wheat delivered to grain elevators has been classified as third class. Over 47% of the grain has a gluten content above 28%. In Akmola Region, third-class wheat accounts for up to 90%, and the Hi-Pro category for 70%. Exports of new-crop grain at the end of September were 13% higher than last year.

This year, 2.1 million tonnes of fertilizer will be applied to crops, against 1.8 million tonnes a year earlier; the plan is already more than 90% complete. The share of elite seeds has risen to 12.4%. Gross agricultural output for the 9 months increased by 5.8% to 7.3 trillion tenge.