Oats market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the oats market in Central Asia contracted significantly, with market volume falling from 335.5 thousand tons to 150.8 thousand tons. The period began with strong production of 342.8 thousand tons in 2018, supported by stable domestic demand and growing regional export purchases from countries like Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, which helped lift export volumes to 20.6 thousand tons by 2019.

Production then entered a sustained decline, dropping to 153.9 thousand tons by 2023. This downturn coincided with climatic challenges such as floods and pests, alongside volatility in global commodity prices, which pressured agricultural output. To compensate, oat imports rose steadily from 2.0 thousand tons in 2018 to 9.3 thousand tons in 2024, partially offsetting the shrinking domestic supply.

Export volumes fluctuated, peaking in 2019 before easing, partly due to increased competition from rising Russian oat exports in the region. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's digitalization drive and improvements in logistical infrastructure provided some market support, though they could not reverse the broader production slump.

Production oats in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

Oats production in Central Asia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 246.7 thousand tons of oats, representing a 9.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 342.8 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 20.1% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, with an 18.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Central Asia's oats production has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of oats output in the region was 49 473 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.8% reduction from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value actually increased by 24%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 53 491 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 34.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports oats from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their highest point in 2019 and fell to their lowest in 2020, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of oats from Central Asia totaled 7 726 tons, down by 62.6% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 20 649 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 121.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan, Norway, and Russia were the main destinations for Central Asia's oats exports in kind. Afghanistan accounted for 29.5% of exports, Norway for 28.2%, and Russia for 14.2%. Together, these three countries absorbed 71.9% of total oats exports from the region.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Exports peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a threefold gap between these years. In 2020, the value of exported oats from Central Asia was 1 549 thousand US dollars, a 60.9% decrease year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 959 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 172.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway, Afghanistan, and Russia consistently remained the primary destinations for Central Asia's oats exports in value terms. Norway represented 33.3% of exports, Afghanistan 29.0%, and Russia 12.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 75.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports oats to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports varied significantly, from a low in 2017 to a high in 2019, with a 7.6-fold difference. In 2020, Central Asia imported 1 349 tons of oats, which is 50.5% less than the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 724 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 461.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia and China were the principal suppliers of oats to Central Asia in kind, together accounting for 31.4% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Import values peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia imported approximately 436 thousand US dollars worth of oats, indicating a solid reduction of 15.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 527 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 370.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Canada, and China formed the core of Central Asia's oats imports in value terms. Russia accounted for 32.5% of imports, Canada for 4.4%, and China for 3.3%. Together, these three countries represented 40.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020