Kazakhstan extends ban on fuel exports

The Kazakh government is extending the prohibition on the export of gasoline, diesel fuel, and certain types of petroleum products via road transport. This decision was made following a meeting on August 27, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Jumangarin.

Kazakhstan had initially imposed restrictions on the export of petroleum products by road to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia in November 2019, in an effort to combat excessive exports.

While the ban was later lifted, it was reintroduced in July 2022 for six months and has since been extended several times.

Additionally, the meeting resulted in a decision to impose a temporary ban on the import of apples by road from third countries until the end of the year, with the exception of imports from countries within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Besides Kazakhstan, the EAEU includes Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, while Uzbekistan holds observer status.

According to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture, this year's total apple harvest will amount to 300,000 tons. This level of production has been achieved due to state-supported horticulture in recent years. By 2024, Kazakhstan's apple orchards will be fully productive, which will increase yield by 18% and allow the country to meet domestic market demands.

Earlier, the APK News agency reported that orchardists had requested the government to ban apple imports from August to December in light of the good harvest. They argued that this measure would help sell the majority of the crop.

According to Kazakhstan's Bureau of Statistics, from January to March, Uzbekistan exported 639.1 tons of apples worth $254,600 to Kazakhstan. From April to the end of June, Uzbekistan exported 7,181.6 tons of apples worth $2.58 million.