(The Financial) – In January-March of 2015, Kazakhstan exported 644,100 tonnes of grains to the countries of Central Asia, or 78% of the general export volumes, declared the press-service of JSC Astyk Trans, according to APK Inform-Agency.

According to the announcement, in the 1^st quarter of the current year Kazakhstan exported 825,500 tonnes of grains, against 1.635 mln tonnes in January-March of 21014. At the same time, the harvest volumes in 2014 and 2013 were almost equal – 18 mln tonnes and 17 mln tonnes, respectively.

In particular, in the 1^st quarter of 2015 the exports to the ports of the Azov-Black Sea basin decreased in 5 times compared with the same period of 2014, and totalled 15,200 tonnes, as opposed to 75,700 tonnes. The supplied volumes reduced, due to the low competitiveness of Kazakh grain cargoes in the price segment. Russian agrarians offer the commodities at the most attractive rates, taking into account the more favourable geographic location (approximation to the sea ports), and low share of transport costs in the final price of exported wheat.

Kazakhstan is one of the world’s major wheat and flour exporters. It is among the 10 largest wheat producers. The main grain crop is milling wheat, which is typically high in quality and protein. There is a growing trend for Kazakhstan to export its grain internationally. In 2011, the country netted a record crop – nearly 27 mln tonnes. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the export potential in 2015 is estimated at 7 mln tonnes of grains. In the first half of the season-2014/15, Kazakhstan shipped 3 mln tonnes. Thus, the optimistic forecast for exports in the current MY totals nearly 4.5-5 mln tonnes, informed JSC Astyk Trans.