Kazakhstan Rises to Fourth Position Among EU Durum Wheat Suppliers

Kazakhstan, the largest grain producer in Central Asia, has witnessed a remarkable surge in its durum wheat exports, catapulting the nation to become the European Union's (EU) fourth-largest supplier during the period from July to November. This tenfold increase represents a significant ascent from its seventh position during the same period in the preceding season.

Between July and November, Kazakhstan exported a substantial 169.65 thousand tonnes of durum wheat to the EU, a notable surge from the 17.32 thousand tonnes recorded in the previous season. Italy emerged as the primary destination for Kazakh durum wheat, importing a significant 128.43 thousand tonnes, as per available data.

A noteworthy shift occurred as Kazakhstan surpassed Ukraine in the Polish market, marking a departure from the trends observed in the previous year. The EU, with a population of around 450 million, stands as the world's second-largest consumer of wheat after China, heavily relying on wheat imports to fulfill domestic demand. In the initial five months of the current season, Türkiye, Russia, and Canada held the top three positions as durum wheat (and flour) suppliers to the EU.

Kazakhstan's emergence as a major durum wheat supplier to the EU can be attributed to its expansive agricultural lands, covering 202 million hectares or 74 percent of the country's total land area. The country's advantageous geography and varied climate provide ideal environments for growing grains. Key grain-producing areas comprise Kostanay, Akmola, North Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan, Abai, and Pavlodar.

With the capacity to export approximately half of its annual grain production, wheat dominates Kazakhstan's agricultural landscape, constituting 80% of the country's total grain production. Moreover, Kazakhstan plays a significant role as a major exporter of flour, primarily focusing on supplying other Central Asian nations and Afghanistan.

The strategic significance of developing the transit and transport sector in the region was underscored by the nation's president, highlighting the potential pivotal role of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), known as the Middle Corridor. This corridor has emerged as a critical trade route connecting Europe and Asia, offering substantial economic benefits and faster transit times for landlocked countries in the region.

In comparison to the Northern Corridor, the Middle Corridor provides a more cost-effective and rapid trade route, reducing travel distance by 2,000 kilometers. The Middle Corridor presents significant opportunities for cargo traffic in Asia, facilitating the transportation of goods to the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean region by integrating port connections in Türkiye.