WEATHER HURTS KAZAKHSTAN WHEAT, AND BARLEY CROPS
June drought followed by excessive rain in fall 2023 in Kazakhstan’s major grain-growing region in the north is expected to severely cut the country’s wheat and barley production in marketing year 2023-24, according to FAS. The FAS lowered its wheat 2023-24 harvest estimate for the Central Asian nation to 12.1 million tonnes, down 26% from the previous year’s 16.4 million tonnes. Barley production is forecast at 2.6 million tonnes, a decrease of 20% from 3.3 million tonnes. Barley quality likewise was hurt by the weather, and testing showed a higher-than-normal presence of mycotoxins and aflatoxins.
From September to November in marketing year 2023-24, Kazakhstan exported 2.1 million tonnes of wheat and wheat flour, a 20% decrease from the same period a year ago. Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan remained the top three buyers. Based on lower wheat production and strong demand from China for feed-quality wheat, the FAS estimates wheat and wheat flour exports for 2023-24 to be 10 million tonnes, a 500,000-tonne- increase year-on-year. Barley exports are estimated to reach 1 million tonnes, up 125,000 tonnes from last year.
(Link: World Grain)
INDIA’S RICE PRODUCTION DROPS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN EIGHT YEARS
India is expected to produce less rice in 2023-24, marking the first drop in eight years, Reuters reported, citing a government statement. Wheat production is expected to increase by 1.3% from a year ago. Rice totals are expected to reach 123.8 million tonnes while wheat production is estimated at 112 million tonnes. The drop in rice production could mean the government will extend curbs on exports. Extending the export restrictions could inflate food prices due to low inventories in other key exporting countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Myanmar.
(Link: Reuters)
