Russia resumes wheat exports to Kazakhstan - Rosselkhoznadzor

MOSCOW. Feb 21 (Interfax) - Russia has resumed wheat exports to Kazakhstan after lifting the ban which was in effect until December 31, 2024.

According to the Siberian interregional administration of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor), 980 tonnes of wheat have been prepared for shipment. "Fourteen railway wagons with a total volume of 980 tonnes were the first shipment at the beginning of 2025, when the ban on wheat imports from third countries and EAEU [Eurasian Economic Union] states imposed by Kazakhstan from August 21 to December 31, 2024, was lifted," it said.

An inspection of the wheat prepared for shipment confirmed the absence of quarantine pests, allowing for the issuance of phytosanitary certificates.

The main exporters of Russian grain to Kazakhstan are regions in Siberia.

However, Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut said in January at the Development of Small Agribusiness in Russia forum that a major challenge for Russian traders, especially those dealing with grain from Siberian regions, is that Kazakhstan does not need Russian grain this year due to a very large domestic harvest. "A record grain and wheat harvest, they have a lot of wheat. Why would they need our grain when theirs is cheaper?" she said.

"Therefore, objectively, we believe that we will not be able to export much to Kazakhstan this season. But situations change. Their weather varies, they experience drought. That's why we need to continue working together with Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is our partner, and we need to build a unified policy," Lut said.

Agricultural cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan was discussed during negotiations between Lut and Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov in January.