Kazakhstan could export up to one million tons of grain to the European Union (EU) if no barriers to exports are set by Russian seaports, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Russia Dauren Abayev stated in an interview with Ria.ru. According to the official, Russia does not accept Kazakhstani grain for transshipment, prioritizing local traders instead.
«At numerous meetings and negotiations with our Russian counterparts, we are working to lift the limitations. This would allow Kazakhstan to export up to one million tons of grain to EU markets,» he said.
In 2024, Kazakhstan reported a grain yield of 25 million tons, with wheat accounting for 18 million. Abayev also noted that grain stocks from the previous season, together with the new harvest, resulted in supply surpassing demand in the local market. Therefore, Kazakhstan is weighing the expansion of its grain export geography, prioritizing the EU along with the markets of North Africa, Southeast Asia and China.
Additionally, Abayev emphasized that the trade volume between Kazakhstan and Russia reached $27 billion during the period from 2023 to 2024, despite anti-Russia sanctions. As of today, more than 21,000 enterprises with Russian participation operate in Kazakhstan, and around 170 joint projects are being implemented under industrial cooperation.
Starting on Feb. 25, Kazakhstan revoked the ban on wheat imports from the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and third-party countries. Notably, Russia has already resumed grain exports to Kazakhstan, with approximately 980,000 tons of wheat having been shipped from Novosibirsk.
In mid-January, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) claimed that Kazakhstan was violating phytosanitary requirements by shipping wheat, lentils and flax seeds contaminated with harmful germs. The Russian agency demanded that Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture step in and ensure compliance with quarantine requirements.
Previously, Russia introduced temporary limitations on Kazakhstani grain imports, including goods meant for transit. Against the backdrop of these trade woes, Kazakhstani officials discussed a possible response to the Russian embargo. Kazakhstani members of parliament proposed introducing a ban on Russian imports and filing a lawsuit in the Court of the EEU.
On March 2, Dauren Abayev gave an interview to Ria.ru, in which he shared his thoughts on the Azerbaijani air accident near Aktau; concerns about amendments to Russian migrant-related laws; Kazakhstan’s potential mediation in Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and the unwillingness of several Kazakhstani citizens to return from Syria.
