Grain, Pulse and Oilseed Plantings in Kazakhstan Reached a Record 20.8 Million Hectares

In 2026, the total planted area under grain, pulse and oilseed crops in Kazakhstan reached 20.805 million hectares. This is 949 thousand hectares, or 4.8%, more than last year and represents the highest figure in the entire observation period. The data from the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan were cited by Yevgeny Karabanov, Head of the Analytics Committee of the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, on his Telegram channel.

The structure of planted areas changed significantly this year. The area under grain crops decreased by 1.8% to 14.855 million hectares. Pulses occupied 770.8 thousand hectares, down 0.8% from last year. At the same time, the area under oilseeds surged by 31.1% to a record 5.179 million hectares.

The total area under wheat, including soft and durum varieties, decreased by 796 thousand hectares, or 5.9%, to 11.399 million hectares. This is the lowest level in the past six years. The decline is linked to the shift of some farms toward higher-margin oilseed crops.

Barley plantings, by contrast, increased by 415 thousand hectares, or 18.2%, to nearly 2.7 million hectares. This is the highest figure in five years. The increase is attributed to the crop’s strong margins and a price level close to that of wheat.

The area under grain corn increased by 105 thousand hectares, or 59.6%, to 280.6 thousand hectares. This is the highest level in eight years. The expansion is linked to high prices, domestic demand, including demand from the recently opened Fufeng Group Kazakhstan deep-processing plant in Shu, as well as the crop’s good profitability.

Among oilseeds, rapeseed showed the strongest growth. Its planted area increased by 52.6% to a record 493 thousand hectares. The main drivers were strong demand, high prices and profitability.

The area under oilseed flax rose by 557 thousand hectares, or 41.3%, to a record 1.904 million hectares. The increase was also driven by high demand, favorable prices and margins. As a result, Kazakhstan became the world leader in terms of oilseed flax planted area.

Sunflower plantings increased by 425 thousand hectares, or 23.9%, to a record 2.202 million hectares. The growth was supported by stable demand and the crop’s high profitability.

According to Yevgeny Karabanov, the trend toward diversification in favor of higher-margin crops is becoming more pronounced in 2026. In particular, areas under oilseed flax, rapeseed, sunflower, safflower, corn and barley are expanding, while plantings of wheat, rice, soybeans and lentils are declining.

The expert noted that further expansion of oilseed acreage will require the construction of new grain receiving facilities and the modernization of existing elevators and grain handling sites. Without developing the necessary infrastructure, further growth in oilseed plantings will be difficult.