Rice imports in Kazakhstan increased 3.5 times in January-July 2023. This comes as domestic rice production decreased by 15.3% during the same period, Turanews.kz reports.
According to the Bureau of National Statistics, the increase in rice imports is likely due to a number of factors, including a shortage of irrigation water in Kazakhstan’s southern rice-growing regions. The country has also been affected by the global food crisis, which has driven up the prices of rice and other staples.
Despite the increase in imports, rice exports from Kazakhstan also increased by 9.9% in January-July 2023. This suggests that Kazakhstan is still a major exporter of rice, even as it imports more of the grain to meet domestic demand.
The Kazakh government is taking steps to address the challenges facing the rice sector. The government has announced plans to increase subsidies for rice producers and to invest in irrigation infrastructure. The government is also working to promote rice consumption on the domestic market.
