OREANDA-NEWS. On April 15, 2008 at the Government’s sitting, a decision was taken to ban wheat exports - while not restricting flour exports - up to September 1, 2008, that is up to the new harvesting campaign, reported the Official website http://en.government.kz.

The underlying goal is to ensure internal food security and to prevent negative implications for the internal market against the backdrop of significant price hikes and the lack of bread grain at the global grain markets.

Kazakh grain exports grew at an unprecedented pace: over 1,1 – 1,4 million tons have been exported on a monthly basis. Over 8 million tons, including grain equivalent of flour, have been exported out of the 2007 grain reserves; export volumes have approached the nation’s anticipated export capacities, which is 9 million tons.

As of April 10, grain reserves stand at 8,1 million tons, including 4,7 million tons of bread grain.
According to some estimates, export capacities net of grain for internal consumption (including carryforward reserves) stand at 1,2 million tons and can be exported within a month.

In this context, urgent measures should be taken to regulate grain exports.

At the same time, spare grain can be exported in the form of flour – this will enable to employ domestic milling capacities and bolster markets for Kazakh flour.