Kazakhstan increased wheat flour exports by 24% in the first five months of 2026

Kazakhstan increased exports of wheat flour in both volume and value terms during January–May 2026. This is according to data released by the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan for HS code 1101.

During the first five months of the year, Kazakhstan exported 916.5 thousand tonnes of wheat flour. Compared with the same period of 2025, export volumes increased by 179.8 thousand tonnes, or 24.4%. In the corresponding period of last year, exports totaled 736.7 thousand tonnes.

Export revenue grew at an even faster pace. It increased from USD 185.5 million to USD 262.6 million, representing an increase of USD 77.1 million, or 41.6%, according to Zhomart Motyshev, President of the Union of Grain Processors of Kazakhstan.

Afghanistan remained the largest buyer of Kazakh wheat flour. Between January and May 2026, shipments to the country reached 588.6 thousand tonnes, up 46.8% compared with the same period last year. Export value increased by 75.1% to USD 162.9 million.

Uzbekistan remained the second-largest export market despite a decline in shipments. Exports to Uzbekistan totaled 143.9 thousand tonnes, down 19.1% year-on-year. Nevertheless, Zhomart Motyshev noted that Uzbekistan continues to be an important market for Kazakhstan's flour milling industry.

Positive growth was also recorded in other traditional Central Asian markets. Exports to Kyrgyzstan increased by 13.8% to 85.0 thousand tonnes, exports to Turkmenistan rose by 57.6% to 59.2 thousand tonnes, while shipments to Tajikistan increased by 38.0% to 28.1 thousand tonnes.

Growth was recorded not only in physical volumes but also in export value, reflecting sustained demand for Kazakh flour products across the region.

Exports also increased to several other destinations. Shipments to Russia rose by 28.6%, while exports to Belarus increased more than fourfold. In addition, Kazakhstan exported wheat flour to Iran for the first time during the reporting period, with shipments totaling around 1 thousand tonnes.

Small export volumes were also delivered to Mongolia, the United States and China.

According to the Union of Grain Processors of Kazakhstan, the results for the first five months of 2026 confirm the strengthening competitiveness of the domestic flour milling industry in international markets. Higher export volumes and increased foreign currency earnings indicate strong export potential for Kazakhstan's grain processing sector.

The Union also noted that Kazakh flour milling enterprises continue to expand exports despite increasing competition in regional markets. The positive performance is driven by both higher shipment volumes and increased export revenues, supporting the further development of grain processing in the country.