FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 04/02 - KAZAKHSTAN (2 April)
Spring sowing campaign has had a good start owing much to ample soil moisture and favourable weather conditions. Total area under grains is seen to increase by 143 000 hectares in 2002 compared with 2001. FAO tentatively forecasts the 2002 grain harvest at about 16.6 million tonnes, which is about 600 000 tonnes higher than the good harvest in 2001. The forecast harvest this year includes 13.5 million tonnes of wheat, 2 million tonnes of barley and 260 000 tonnes of maize. The forecast will very much depend on the incidence of pests and diseases as well as precipitation levels during late spring and early summer season.
Kazakhstan is set to export 3.4 million tonnes of cereals during 2001/02 marketing year (July/June), nearly 3.0 million tonnes of which will be wheat. Stocks have increased from 1.5 million tonnes in 2000/01 marketing year to about 5.5 million tonnes in 2001/02 marketing year.