- Kazakhstan holds 20 million tonnes of grain stocks as of January 1, 2026, with wheat accounting for 16.25 million tonnes.
- About 88% of wheat stocks are food-grade, supporting both domestic milling demand and export potential.
- Three northern regions (Akmola, North Kazakhstan, Kostanay) control 80% of total grain reserves, reinforcing traditional export corridors.
- Wheat exports reached 6.3 million tonnes and barley 1.4 million tonnes in January–October 2025, confirming Kazakhstan’s role as a secondary Black Sea supplier.
- Market sentiment is neutral to slightly bearish for regional wheat prices due to comfortable supply coverage.
Kazakhstan Grain Stock Overview
Kazakhstan’s official statistics show total grain stocks of 20 million tonnes as of January 1, 2026, underscoring the country’s sustained export capacity into Black Sea and Central Asian markets through Q1 2026. Wheat dominates the balance sheet with 16.247 million tonnes, while barley, rice, corn, and rye comprise the remainder of inventories.
| Grain | Stocks (million tonnes) |
|---|---|
| Total grain | 20.00 |
| Wheat (total) | 16.25 |
| Barley | 2.04 |
| Rice | 0.28 |
| Corn | 0.19 |
| Rye | 0.02 |
Wheat Stock Composition
Within the 16.247 million tonnes of wheat, food-grade volumes account for 14.3 million tonnes, seed wheat for 1.131 million tonnes, and feed wheat for 0.811 million tonnes. The dominance of food-use wheat highlights robust domestic milling demand while leaving ample room for export programs.
| Wheat Use Category | Volume (million tonnes) |
|---|---|
| Food | 14.30 |
| Seed | 1.13 |
| Feed | 0.81 |
| Total | 16.25 |
Regional Distribution of Grain Stocks
Grain inventories are heavily concentrated in the northern production belt, which is aligned with key rail routes toward Russia and Caspian export outlets. Akmola, North Kazakhstan, and Kostanay regions together hold around 80% of total grain reserves, reinforcing their strategic role in Kazakhstan’s grain logistics.
| Region | Grain Stocks (million tonnes) |
|---|---|
| Akmola | 6.01 |
| North Kazakhstan | 5.06 |
| Kostanay | 4.98 |
| Karaganda | 1.09 |
| East Kazakhstan | 0.42 |
Export and Import Flows (Jan–Oct 2025)
Export performance through the first ten months of 2025 confirms Kazakhstan’s position as a secondary but reliable supplier in the wider Black Sea complex. Wheat and meslin exports reached 6.3 million tonnes, with barley at 1.4 million tonnes. Corn and oats exports remained modest, while grain imports were minimal and non-disruptive for the domestic balance.
| Commodity | Exports (thousand tonnes) | Imports (thousand tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat & meslin | 6,300 | 491 |
| Barley | 1,400 | 70 |
| Corn | 116 | n/a |
| Oats | 21 | n/a |
Market Impact and Price Sentiment
The comfortable level of wheat stocks, combined with strong food-grade availability and already solid export volumes, points to continued supply coverage for nearby delivery periods. While Kazakhstan’s logistical constraints limit direct competition with Russian and Ukrainian origins, its role as a supplemental supplier into Black Sea and Central Asian markets keeps regional supply adequate. Overall, price sentiment for regional wheat is neutral to slightly bearish in the near term.
Source: Market Data
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