Kazakhstan Boosts Grain Exports to Afghanistan and Central Asia Amid Strong Demand
Kazakhstan has significantly increased its grain exports to Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan in recent months; officials attribute this to strong demand in traditional export markets.
According to data from Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company published by the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Kazakhstan exported a total of 3.9 million tons of grain abroad from September to December 19, 2025. This figure shows a notable increase compared to 3.4 million tons during the same period last year.
Key routes have seen the highest growth. Grain exports to Uzbekistan rose by 35%, from 1.315 million tons to 1.774 million tons, while exports to Kyrgyzstan doubled from 59,000 tons to 122,000 tons. Exports to Afghanistan increased by 36.8%, from 190,000 tons to 260,000 tons.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture states that the export of freshly harvested grain reflects strong demand in traditional markets, which continues to support the growth of grain exports. At a December 24 press conference, Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov said Kazakhstan’s total grain export capacity is estimated at around 13 million tons, with shipments reaching 45 countries worldwide.
Saparov noted that active grain exports help stabilize Kazakhstan’s domestic market since the country produces two to three times its internal grain needs, and exporting the surplus can ease price pressures. Meanwhile, official statistics indicate that Kazakhstan’s total trade volume from January to October 2025 amounted to $116.3 billion, marking a 0.7% decline compared to the same period last year, with exports decreasing and imports rising.
