NUR-SULTAN, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan will drop export quotas on grain and flour, and lift restrictions on other key food products from June 1, Agriculture Minister Saparkhan Omarov announced on Wednesday.
Omarov said the export ban and quotas have been introduced temporarily. As Kazakhstan is easing quarantine-related measures, agricultural trade will go back to normal.
Local authorities have taken timely measures to build up good grain reserves of their own. As the new harvest season is approaching, the food security alert in Kazakhstan is going to be cleared, said Omarov.
The minister added that this year's spring ploughing has begun in major crop areas. Meteorologists say next June to August will see mild temperatures and abundant rainfalls, which are conducive to a bumper harvest.
Kazakhstan has imposed restrictions on exports of grain and flour, as well as other food products on March 22 to ensure its domestic supplies amid COVID-19.
Kazakhstan has reported 5,571 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 32 deaths as of Thursday. Enditem
