"Numbers are accurate," stated the Ministry of Agriculture in response to discrepancies in grain yield data with the USA.

“The 18 million tons reported by Kazakhstan according to the USDA is data on wheat harvest, while the 26.7 million tons according to the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan (MA RK) refers to the harvest of grains and legumes (barley, oats, peas, lentils, etc.), including wheat,” said the ministry.

They also noted that the overall harvest volume for 2024 included both grains and legumes, for which joint mention in agricultural statistics is standard practice.

The agency also commented on the proposed arguments regarding the inflated data from last year's harvest, including reduced yields due to flooding, lack of fertilizers, and agricultural machinery. All of these arguments were found to be unfounded.

“Over the past five years, fertilizer application volumes have increased by 2.2 times, from 600,000 tons in 2020 to 1.2 million tons in 2024 (subsidy volumes during this period have grown by 1.7 times). The same goes for the rate of machinery renewal: by the end of 2024, the industry achieved a 5.5% level of fleet renewal, which is 1% higher than the previous year,” the statement reads.

Previously, we discussed with farmers and the Grain Union the challenges that a large harvest has brought to farmers and the forecasts for the grain market.