Kazakh wheat crop to fall by 25% after bad weather -EU monitor
Wheat exporter Kazakhstan will harvest 12.3 million metric tons of the grain this year, down 25% from a bumper 2022 crop, after growing belts endured harsh weather, the European Union’s crop monitoring service forecast on Monday.
The estimated production would also be 8% below the average of the past five years, the MARS service said in a report.
Dry, hot summer weather compromised the growth and yield formation of both winter and spring cereals, before heavy rain in late August and September further curbed yields for spring crops while severely reducing grain quality, MARS said.
The rain risks to crop quality in Kazakhstan have been a particular concern in the market for durum wheat, the niche grade used in pasta, as merchants seek to offset an expected drop in production in top exporter Canada.
MARS’ wheat crop forecast is well below the 14.5 million tons forecast in early August by Kazakhstan’s grain industry union.
The rain-delayed wheat harvest was continuing in many regions, MARS added.
Kazakhstan mainly exports wheat grain and flour to other countries in Central Asia.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Gus Trompiz Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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