Kazakhstan has declared a suspension of sugar exports through August 2024, ensuring sufficient domestic supplies during the critical summer months. This decision, detailed in a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, follows deliberations by the Interdepartmental Commission on Foreign Trade Policy and Participation in International Economic Organizations, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin on May 6.
The session addressed potential shortages preceding the forthcoming sugar beet harvest. Current sugar reserves in Kazakhstan total approximately 256,000 tons—merely half of the annual consumption, which ranges from 500,000 to 550,000 tons.
Erbol Taszhurekov, Vice Minister of Agriculture, noted, “Stocks of sugar and raw cane in warehouses today amount to 136,000 tons. Together with the quota for the import of Russian sugar in the amount of 120,000 tons until August 31, 2024, this is about 256,000 tons.” He assured that these quantities would suffice until the new harvest begins.
In a strategic move to enhance these reserves, Kazakhstan seeks to augment its Russian sugar import quota by an additional 100,000 tons by year’s end. Despite these arrangements to secure more sugar, the commitment to uninterrupted supply for its citizens remains unwavering.
In 2022, Kazakhstan achieved a total of $252,000 in raw sugar exports, ranking as the 131st largest exporter of raw sugar globally. During the same period, raw sugar stood as the 712th most exported commodity from Kazakhstan.
The commission has endorsed a ban on exporting sugar to third countries, including Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) members, effective until August 31, 2024. This prohibition, crucially, does not impede international transit. Through these measures, Kazakhstan demonstrates a sophisticated approach to managing national food security and stabilizing the market during pivotal periods.
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