FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/01 - KAZAKHSTAN (31 May)
Spring planting is well advanced and proceeding at a faster rate than last year. Good snowfall this winter has provided ample soil moisture reserves. Provided favourable weather conditions prevail in most parts, the country is likely to meet its targeted grain production of 11.7 million tonnes (2000: 11.6 million tonnes), including 9.2 million tonnes of wheat. Limited control action against locust infestations, which threatened crops in the preceding two years, have been taken.
Spring cereals this year are expected to be grown on 11.5 million hectares, producing some 11.2 million tonnes, similar to last year�s level. Provided the forecasts for 2001 materialise, cereal exports of about 4.7 million tonnes, mainly wheat (4.2 million tonnes), and some barley, are likely in 2001/02. This is close to exports in the current marketing year drawing to a close.