This summer، Kazakhstan is suffering from a heatwave. In the south، temperatures occasionally reach 40–45 degrees Celsius. Will the drought ruin the harvest and drive up food prices؟ Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov addressed these questions، reports infohub.kz.
According to Sultanov، there are no irrigation problems in the south so far. Water is supplied to farmers on schedule، so the ministry is not worried about potatoes and vegetables grown on irrigated land. The situation is more complicated in grain-growing regions. However، rains in Kostanay and most of the North Kazakhstan region have helped mitigate the heat's effects.
“The condition of 96% of crops is assessed as good and satisfactory. There are practically no dead crops. We will monitor Akmola and Karaganda regions. The full picture will become clearer closer to the harvest،” Sultanov said.
In addition، farmers prepared for dry weather by using heat-resistant seed varieties and mineral fertilizers، the vice minister added.
The ministry acknowledges that a small harvest typically pushes grain prices up. This could affect the cost of socially significant products. Nevertheless، the authorities do not expect a sharp rise in bread prices.
“Even at a price of 180،000 tenge per ton of grain، which we saw four years ago، and at the current price of 90،000 tenge، social bread remains at 110 tenge on the shelf. The state has all the necessary mechanisms to maintain this price. So it is too early to fear that we will be left without bread or that it will become expensive. There is no need to panic،” the vice minister assured.
If the harvest situation sharply worsens، they promise to take measures to keep prices in check.
The Ministry of Agriculture says that no mass crop loss is observed now. The final assessment of the heat's impact on the harvest will be possible closer to the start of harvesting.