Kazakhstan to return grain-loaded railcars to Russia

As previously reported, Kazakhstan has introduced a full ban on the import of feed wheat, as well as certain types of grain and feed products from Russia. The situation was commented on by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The ministry clarified that since February 4, temporary restrictions have been imposed on the import of livestock and feed products from a number of regions of the Russian Federation at the initiative of veterinary services. The measure was taken due to the deterioration of the epizootic situation in livestock farming. After the restrictions were introduced, attempts to import products falling under the ban were recorded.

“Cases have been identified where feed and other products were attempted to be imported under the guise of permitted food goods. In this regard, territorial divisions of the Ministry have been instructed to strengthen control and organize joint measures to prevent the illegal transportation of prohibited products. These measures are temporary and will remain in effect until the epizootic situation in the neighboring country stabilizes,” the Ministry of Agriculture reported.

At the same time, according to Yevgeny Karabanov, head of the analytics committee of the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, citing market participants from Russia, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy intends to return railcars loaded with Russian grain that have arrived in Kazakhstan.