Kazakhstan Increases Lentil Exports While Prices Remain at Last Year's Level

Kazakhstan is demonstrating active growth in lentil export volumes to global markets. According to official statistical data from the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in September of the current 2026/27 marketing year, shipments of this legume crop to external markets excluding EAEU countries reached 135,000 tonnes. This is 37% higher than the previous month of August, when supply volumes stood at 98,600 tonnes, and also 10% higher than the level recorded in September of the previous season.

According to Yevgeny Karabanov, Head of the Analytics Committee of the Grain Union of Kazakhstan, despite the increase in physical export volumes, the pricing situation remains mixed. He noted that domestic market prices for lentils are currently lower than during the same period last year and fall short of the expectations of domestic agricultural producers. Meanwhile, export prices correspond to the levels seen in September of last year.

Turkey traditionally remains the primary and key sales market for Kazakh lentils. During the reporting period, the country increased its imports of this agricultural crop from Kazakhstan by 5.5%, bringing purchase volumes to 125,000 tonnes. Turkey's share in the total volume of Kazakh lentil exports accounts for an impressive 92.6%, highlighting a high concentration of shipments in this specific direction.

In addition, the first month of the new season saw a sharp surge in shipments of Kazakh lentils to several other destinations. Specifically, exports to China skyrocketed by 7.85 times, reaching 5,500 tonnes. Shipments to Afghanistan amounted to 2,400 tonnes, representing a fourfold increase compared to the same period last year.

Experts also noted the emergence of new or previously inactive trade routes. In particular, September shipments included 800 tonnes (0.8 thousand tonnes) to the United Arab Emirates and 400 tonnes (0.4 thousand tonnes) to Iran, whereas no exports were made to these destinations in September of last year. Shipments to Azerbaijan remained unchanged at a low level of 300 tonnes (0.3 thousand tonnes).