Kazakhstan & Iran: Kazakh barley exports increase significantly to meet demand from Iran

Kazakh exports of barley have grown significantly over the past decade to meet demand from Iran, its primary customer, USDA said in its January report.

Since 2010/11, at least half of Kazakhstan’s barley exports have been destined for Iran, reaching a decadal high of 94 percent of total exports (for a volume of 1.3 million tons) in 2017/18.

Despite this growth, Kazakhstan remains the smallest of the major players in the world’s barley export market, ranking seventh globally for most of the decade. The European Union and Russia are forecast to be the largest exporters of barley in 2019/20, with export volumes totaling two to three times that of Kazakhstan.

As Kazakhstan’s exports have grown, Iran’s balance sheet also shows corresponding growth in barley imports over the same time period. The growth in imports has fueled expansion of Iran’s barley feed use.

The current forecast for Kazakhstan’s 2019/20 barley exports is the highest to date at 1.8 million tons. Although Iran also imports large amounts of barley from Russia and the European Union, in all likelihood, Iran will continue to import a substantial percentage from Kazakhstan.

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