Kazakhstan: 2.3 million tons of new-crop grain exported in two months, shipments to China up 2.6-fold

On November 3, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture reported that 2,262 thousand tons of new-crop grain were shipped abroad in September–October 2026 — 2% more than in the same months of the previous season. The figures are based on shipments by Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company JSC. Shipments to China and Afghanistan are growing fastest.

Key figures

• Shipped: 2.26 million t
• Vs. last season: +2%
• China: 2.6 times more
• Afghanistan: 1.9 times
• Wheat, 9 mo.: 6.1 million t
• Uzbekistan: +49% wheat

What changed

New-crop exports are running slightly ahead of last year: 2,262 thousand tons versus 2,219 thousand tons in September–October 2025. Traditional export markets received 1.43 million tons (+1.2%): Uzbekistan — 1,063 thousand tons (+1.3%), Tajikistan — 351 thousand tons (+19%). The main growth comes from other destinations: 373 thousand tons went to China versus 145 thousand tons a year earlier, and 200 thousand tons to Afghanistan versus 104 thousand tons. According to the ministry, the growth in shipments confirms steady demand for Kazakh grain.

In figures

Kazakh wheat exports in January–September 2026, according to the State Revenue Committee:

• Total: 6.1 million tons versus 5.3 million tons a year earlier (+15%).
• Uzbekistan: 3.8 million tons (+49%).
• Tajikistan: 1 million tons (+13.6%).
• Afghanistan: 663 thousand tons — 3.4 times more.
• New destinations: Tunisia — 23.3 thousand tons, France — 6 thousand tons; shipments to Iran reached 67 thousand tons.

What it means for the buyer

New-crop grain is leaving for export faster than a year ago, and the circle of buyers is widening: China, Afghanistan, Iran and even North Africa are joining the Central Asian neighbors. For a farm, this means more options for selling the harvest. Exporters need large, uniform lots of the right class, so choosing the variety and seed quality for a specific market becomes part of the planning for next season.

Context

The January–September wheat data are based on figures from the State Revenue Committee, and the new-crop shipment data on figures from Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company JSC for September–October. The ministry names Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan as the main buyers of Kazakh wheat; growth was recorded both in traditional markets and in new destinations.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan