BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 19. Kazakhstan plans to reduce the import of white sugar by expanding the cultivation areas by 2026, the country's Minister of Agriculture Yerbol Karashukeyev said at a Government meeting, Trend reports.
According to the minister, to meet 43 percent of the domestic sugar demand from local sugar beets, Kazakhstan plans to increase the cultivation area to 38,000 hectares in the southern regions by 2026. This expansion is projected to result in a significant rise in the gross harvest of sugar beets, ultimately aiming to produce 250,000 tons of sugar from domestic raw materials and to reduce the reliance on white sugar imports from 58 percent to 17 percent.
Minister Karashukeyev also highlighted the government's commitment to supporting farmers and improving the profitability of sugar beet cultivation. As he noted, this year, purchase prices for sugar beets have been raised, along with an increase in subsidies provided by the state.
Furthermore, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural support measures, discussions are underway to increase the reimbursement norm up to 50 percent for the acquisition of sugar beet harvesting combines, seeders, and leaf cutters. These measures aim to enhance the profitability of sugar beet cultivation and encourage agricultural producers to engage in its production.
The impact of these initiatives is already noticeable, as the cultivation areas for sugar beets have increased by 7,400 hectares this year, reaching a total of 19,000 hectares.
