Kazakhstan projects 2026 grain harvest at 23 million tons, down from 2025 record
Quick Look
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture forecasts a 2026 grain harvest of approximately 23 million tons, below the 2025 record of 27.1 million tons but above the long-term average, with projected exports of 13 million tons to traditional and expanding markets.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture provided a forecast for the 2026 grain harvest during a briefing in Astana, citing current harvest progress and comparing it to the previous year's record output.
ASTANA, September 29. /TASS/. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture projects grain harvest at around 23 mln tons in 2026, which is lower than last year’s harvest, Vice Minister of Agriculture Nazgul Khatepova told a briefing.
"Overall, we have already harvested around 20 mln tons, which represents 83%, and we project a total grain harvest of roughly 23 mln tons, or slightly more, for this year," she said when asked about this year’s forecast.
This year’s grain harvest is expected to be lower than that of 2025 when over 27 mln tons were gathered, the official added. That said, the total grain harvest is forecast to exceed the long-term average.
In 2025, Kazakhstani farmers harvested a record grain crop of 27.1 mln tons, with an average yield of 17 centners per hectare. The ministry projects grain exports from this harvest at around 13 mln tons.
Kazakhstan traditionally exports wheat and flour to Central Asian countries, Iran, and Afghanistan. In recent years, the republic has also begun supplying grain to countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, and North Africa, including Belgium, Portugal, Norway, the UK, Vietnam, Morocco, and Algeria.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Kazakhstan's total grain harvest will reach approximately 23 million tons in 2026
Likely · Within months
Kazakhstan will export around 13 million tons of grain from the 2026 harvest
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific factors are expected to reduce the 2026 grain harvest compared to 2025?
- How will the projected export volume of 13 million tons be distributed among the listed destination countries?
- What is the long-term average grain harvest volume for Kazakhstan that the 2026 forecast is expected to exceed?
