Turkmenistan back in list of importers of Kazakh grain
By Kamila Aliyeva
Over 5 million tons of grain has been exported to Kazakhstan since the beginning of the year, the "Khabar-24" TV channel reported.
Of this amount, the largest part was sent to Russia, China, Iran and the countries of Central Asia. After a long break, Turkmenistan returned to the list of buyers. The country purchases about 100,000 tons of grain.
“Azerbaijan buys quite a large volume. Approximate volume of purchases makes about 600,000 tons. Of course, there is a demand from Central Asia, that is, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan,” said Mukan Abdiyev, a member of the board of the Union of Millers.
He noted that Afghanistan is a constant buyer and even increases supplies.
A new route through the port of Kuryk will ensure the shipment of up to 10,000 tons of grain to Azerbaijan and Georgia. And the new route from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan will cut the way more than twice. China and Iran remain an important direction for exporters. Kazakhstan Railways is ready to provide transportation of up to 1 million tons of grain per month. There are enough carriages for transportation. JSC Astyk Trans provides over 90 percent of all domestic and about 50 percent of export shipments.
"We have about 6,300 wagons. About 9,000-10,000 wagons are used for grain in Kazakhstan. This park is enough to transfer the whole harvest of the new season,” said first vice president of JSC Astyk Trans Sergei Mosolkin.
This year the company repaired about a thousand old wagons and bought 420 new ones. New benefits are introduced for domestic suppliers. In some areas, the tariffs for the transportation of grain, flour and grinding products through Uzbekistan to Iran and Afghanistan were reduced by 20 to 50 percent. This year about 10 million tons of grains and oilseeds are planned to be sent by rail.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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