Uzbekistan Boosts Wheat Imports from Kazakhstan by Nearly 30%
Uzbekistan Boosts Wheat Imports from Kazakhstan Amid Record Harvests
Uzbekistan has ramped up its wheat imports from Kazakhstan, securing over a third of the latter’s 2024 grain harvest. This surge in imports reflects a significant move towards regional cooperation in agricultural trade, as highlighted by Forbes Kazakhstan, using data from Kazakhstan Railways.
Between September 2024 and April 2025, Kazakhstan exported an impressive 7.6 million tons of newly harvested wheat. This figure marks a substantial 58% increase compared to the same period in the previous 2023–2024 season. Uzbekistan has emerged as the largest importer, bringing in 2.7 million tons of wheat—an increase of nearly 30% from last season.
Following Uzbekistan, Tajikistan ranked as the second-largest importer, with imports soaring to 1.1 million tons, reflecting a 50% increase year-on-year. Iran also witnessed a notable uptick, importing 889,000 tons of wheat—an astonishing 16-fold rise compared to the previous season.
The most remarkable growth in wheat imports was noted in Azerbaijan, where imports skyrocketed nearly 114 times to a total of 569,000 tons. Additionally, Afghanistan upped its wheat purchases by a third, reaching 270,000 tons, while Kyrgyzstan saw its imports double to 181,000 tons.
To enhance regional trade relations further, Uzbekistan Railways and Kazakhstan Railways have agreed to a 40% reduction in transit tariffs for Kazakh wheat shipments heading to Afghanistan. This discount specifically applies to transportation via the Oasis (Karakalpakstan) – Galaba (Surkhandarya region) route.
As the demand for wheat rises in Central Asia, these developments herald a new era of agricultural collaboration in the region, spotlighting the critical role that Kazakhstan plays in ensuring food security for its neighbors.
