Some of new harvest grain will have to be stored in the fields

Kazakhstan Prime-Minister said that part of the new harvest grain will have to be stored in the fields, KazTAG reports. “I would like to say that the issue hasn't been solved to the utmost. I've talked to Akims (Mayors) and agricultural producers. Part of the grain will have to be stored in the fields,” PM Massimov said at the meeting of Nur Otan party parliamentary fraction. According to Massimov, regional Akims are constantly updating him on the taken measures. “The task is to export and transport it as soon as possible,” Prime-Minister said. Karim Massimov also said that one of the paramount issues is to expand target markets in China, as well as export to the markets of South-East Asia and the Persian Gulf countries. Minister of Agriculture Assylzhan Mamytbekov has admitted that “this year's result once again proves that crops have to be diversified.” “Traditional markets are buying only around 6 million tons of grain,” he noted. According to him, local consumption is about 8 million tons. “Thus, total production required is around 14 million tons of grain. We are currently over-producing and such harvests are even harmful to us,” the Minister said. He reminded that the Government is subsidizing grain export by lowering its transportation cost. 5 billion tenge ($34 million) have been set aside in the budget for this purpose this year. Food corporation will buy 5 million tons of grain. “These measures will help balance offer and demand at the grain market,” Mamytbekov added.