14.10.2026, 00:25
Kazakhstan's Oilseed Harvest Could Exceed 5 Million Tonnes
Kazakhstan has harvested 23 million tonnes of grain, completed harvesting on 96% of its grain and legume crop areas, and collected 2.5 times more oilseeds than during the same period last year
The harvesting campaign in Kazakhstan is nearing completion. To date, farmers have collected 23 million tonnes of grain, completing harvesting on 96% of the areas planted with grain and legume crops. Significant growth has been recorded in oilseed production, with the volume of oilseeds harvested reaching 2.5 times the figure for the corresponding period last year. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov reported these results at a government meeting.
Despite difficult weather conditions during the growing season and a reduction of 1.8 million hectares in wheat planting areas, the total grain harvest is expected to exceed the long-term average. The country's average yield stands at 15.2 centners per hectare.
The highest yields have been recorded in Almaty Region at 53 centners per hectare, Zhetysu Region at 27.1 centners per hectare, Turkistan Region at 25.4 centners per hectare, Zhambyl Region at 22.1 centners per hectare, and West Kazakhstan Region at 21.1 centners per hectare.
Particular attention is also being paid to the quality of the harvested grain. According to the deputy minister, more than 72.4% of the wheat delivered to grain elevators belongs to the third quality class. This figure is considerably higher in several regions. For example, in Akmola Region, third-class wheat accounts for 90%, while 70% falls into the Hi-Pro category, which refers to high-protein wheat with increased protein and gluten content.
Kazakh grain also continues to enjoy steady demand in foreign markets. In September, exports of grain from the new harvest reached 1.16 million tonnes, representing a 13% increase compared with the same month last year.
Particularly strong growth has been observed in oilseed harvesting. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 3.7 million tonnes of oilseeds have been harvested so far. This is 2.5 times the volume collected during the corresponding period last year.
Azat Sultanov stated that, once harvesting operations are completed, the total oilseed harvest is expected to exceed 5 million tonnes and set a new record.
These production results are supported by government financing programs for agricultural producers, the modernization of agricultural machinery fleets, and the wider adoption of modern agricultural technologies.
This year, financing for spring fieldwork and harvesting operations is planned to increase to 750 billion tenge. At the same time, the volume of preferential leasing for agricultural machinery is expected to reach 350 billion tenge.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasized the importance of ensuring that grain elevator infrastructure is ready to receive the new harvest.
In addition, the meeting addressed the situation regarding sugar beet processing. Four sugar factories have currently been put into operation across the country, including a new beet processing line at a facility in Zhambyl Region.
The Prime Minister stressed the need to prevent the recurring problems associated with sugar beet processing and instructed the relevant authorities to keep the issue under control.
