BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 14. Kazakhstan's grain
exports increased by 13% during the period from September 2025
through June 2026 compared to the same period of the previous
marketing season, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport reported,
citing data from Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ).
"During the period from September 2025 through June 2026,
exports of grain and flour in grain equivalent reached 13.1 million
tons. This is 13% higher than during the same period of the
previous marketing season, when 11.6 million tons were shipped
abroad," the ministry said.
The ministry noted that the growth was primarily driven by
Kazakhstan's traditional import markets in Central Asia and
Afghanistan.
Exports to Uzbekistan increased by 38%, from 3.9 million tons to
5.5 million tons; exports to Kyrgyzstan rose 1.4-fold, from 357,000
tons to 504,000 tons; shipments to Afghanistan climbed by 59%, from
1.4 million tons to 2.2 million tons; and exports to Turkmenistan
grew by 37%, from 150,000 tons to 205,000 tons.
"The positive freight transportation statistics confirm strong
demand for Kazakhstan's agricultural products and the stable
operation of logistics corridors in the southern direction. They
also demonstrate the effectiveness of measures aimed at developing
export logistics and expanding trade and economic cooperation with
foreign partners," the ministry said.
Meanwhile, a source from the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB)
Analytical Department told Trend that a pilot project in Kazakhstan testing
modern irrigation technologies is providing a blueprint for a
potential regional industry in Central Asia.
"The EDB’s $5.3 million grant project with UNDP and Kazakhstan’s
Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation will start in
Kazakhstan’s southern and eastern agricultural regions, where water
stress is acute - including Almaty, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda, Turkestan
and Zhetysu regions, with particular focus on Turkestan and
Kyzylorda. These are the areas where the impact of modern
irrigation technologies can be measured quickly and visibly," the
source stated.
The initiative establishes demonstration sites for modern
irrigation systems - plastic pipelines and drip solutions -
allowing the Bank and its partners to test technologies, adapt them
to local conditions, and assess practical performance. At least 180
specialists will be trained, creating the skilled workforce needed
for regional deployment.
"This makes the project a practical proof of concept for future
regional production. It will show which technologies work best in
local conditions, what technical standards are required, what
skills farmers and water-sector specialists need, and how equipment
can be installed, operated, and serviced at scale," the source
explained.
The representative emphasized that Central Asia currently spends
an estimated $140-320 million annually on imported irrigation
equipment. By 2040, up to 2 million new units may be needed,
creating a potential $426 million per year market for locally
produced systems.
"The Kazakhstan-based pilot therefore helps answer a practical
industrial question: which technologies can be standardized,
produced, installed, and serviced locally at scale," the source
noted.
