Claims regarding discrepancies between USDA and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MA RK) data on grain yield in Kazakhstan, stating an 8 million ton difference, have been deemed inaccurate by the relevant authority. The 18 million tons reported by Kazakhstan, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), pertains specifically to wheat, while the 26.7 million tons reported by MA RK includes all grains and legumes, including wheat, as reported by a correspondent from the business information center Kapital.kz, citing the Ministry of Agriculture's press service.
“In its official communications, MA RK has consistently clarified that the total harvest for 2024 includes both grains and legumes, and it is standard practice to mention these together in agricultural statistics,” stated the agency.
According to operational data from regional akimats, grains and legumes have been harvested from an area of 16.7 million hectares with an average yield of 16.1 centners per hectare, resulting in a total of 26.7 million tons in initial weight.
Under the statistical form “On the Harvest of Agricultural Crops,” data is submitted by agricultural producers once a year to the statistical authorities based on their location. Final data will be published on the website of the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan in early February.
“It should be noted that the initial weight data may differ from the final figures on average, taking into account refaction. Arguments for the assertion of inflated harvest data for 2024 include decreased yields due to flooding, although only minor areas of agricultural land were affected, with the commission confirming damage to 3.8 thousand hectares. Additionally, most soils quickly absorb moisture, and a sufficient volume of moisture contributes to high yields,” the statement says.
The Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that other arguments, such as a lack of fertilizers and agricultural machinery, are also unfounded.
“Thanks to state support, there is a positive trend in the application of mineral fertilizers. Over the past five years, the volume of fertilizer application has increased by 2.2 times, from 600 thousand tons in 2020 to 1.2 million tons in 2024, and subsidies during this period have increased by 1.7 times, from 27.3 to 46.4 billion tenge. The pace of equipment renewal has also improved: by the end of 2024, the industry reached a 5.5% renewal rate, which is 1 percentage point higher than the previous year,” stated the MA RK.
In 2024, a large-scale program for subsidized leasing of domestically produced agricultural machinery was launched, amounting to 120 billion tenge, with a reward rate of 5% per annum and a term of 7 years. In 2024, farmers acquired 22 thousand units of machinery, which is 12% higher than in 2023.
Measures have also been taken to combat diseases – working capital has been provided at 5% interest, including for the purchase of plant protection products, with a subsidy volume for pesticides amounting to 35.9 billion tenge.
“MA RK aims for transparent and objective statistics in the sector. To this end, in 2024, a substantial effort was made together with the Bureau of National Statistics to reduce inaccuracies, and the ministry consistently advocates moving away from GDP indicators in assessing the performance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We strongly urge trust in official materials and careful selection of information sources and authors,” the ministry noted.