Kyrgyzstan’s Wheat Harvest Plummets by 25.8%
The National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan reported that as of the end of October 2023, grain crops (excluding legumes, rice, and buckwheat) were harvested from an area of 579,500 hectares in the country. This represents a 1.2 percent increase from the same period last year.
However, despite the increase in harvested area, the actual threshed grain volume was lower compared to the previous year. A total of 1.6 million tons of grain were threshed, reflecting a 15 percent decrease in volume. The decrease in threshing volumes is attributed to a 28 percent decrease in the yield of cereal crops compared to 2022. The impact of abnormally high temperatures during the growing season was cited as a contributing factor, resulting in a 25.8 percent decrease in the gross harvest of wheat and a 29.5 percent decrease in barley.
Furthermore, concerns regarding the export of wheat have arisen following Russia’s announcement of a ban on the export of durum wheat from December 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. This decision has prompted the Ministry of Agriculture of Kyrgyzstan to emphasize the importance of adhering to the decisions of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Each state within the EAEU is required to provide production forecasts for certain types of agricultural goods that can be exported, as well as the required volume for imports to cover the needs of the population.
The implications of these developments on the agricultural sector in Kyrgyzstan are yet to be fully understood, but it is evident that external factors such as export bans and climate conditions continue to pose challenges for the country’s grain production. The agricultural authorities will need to closely monitor these developments and consider appropriate measures to address potential impacts on the domestic market and food security.
