Kazakhstan expects to harvest 18-19 mln tonnes of grain in 2022

ALMATY. June 7 (Interfax) - Kazakhstan forecasts a 2022 gross grain harvest at the annual average of 18-19 million tonnes, Agriculture Minister Yerbol Karashukeev said.

"This year, the spring fieldwork was completed on time, and the Kazhydromet forecast for June is favorable. All these factors allow us to forecast the grain harvest at the annual average," Karashukeev said at a government meeting on Tuesday.

"With an average grain harvest of 18-19 million tonnes, domestic demand stands at about 8 million tonnes. Even in case of bad weather, Kazakhstan will ensure its food security," Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov said.

Karashukeev said earlier that Kazakhstan planned to harvest 13-13.5 million tonnes of wheat in 2022, up 15% from 11.8 million tonnes in 2021.

Kazakhstan harvested over 16.4 million tonnes of grain and legumes in 2021, down 18.2% from 20.06 million tonnes in 2020 due to drought in a number of regions.