Kazakh farmers are reducing melon and watermelon acreage due to declining profitability. In 2024, planting areas decreased by 8.9% to 98,100 hectares, down from 107,600 hectares in 2023, according to Energyprom.kz. Most of these crops are grown by small-scale farmers, with over 75% concentrated in the Turkestan region.
Despite the reduction, there's no risk of a shortage. The Bureau of National Statistics reported that Kazakhstan harvested 2.8 million tons of melons and watermelons in 2023, even in drought conditions. In 2024, favourable irrigation has allowed farmers to prepare for a second watermelon harvest.
However, oversupply is an issue. In the Turkestan region, melon yields reached 27 tons per hectare, making it difficult for farmers to sell their produce, leading some to use the surplus as animal feed.
Exports remain challenging, with 99% of production sold domestically. In 2023, Kazakhstan exported only 31,900 tons, mainly to Russia and Belarus. Prices fluctuated in 2024, with watermelon prices peaking at €0.49 per kilogram in June before dropping to €0.26 by July. Melon prices followed a similar trend.
In the Abai region, a recent hailstorm severely damaged watermelon crops, causing them to rot in the fields. Farmers, unable to find buyers for the damaged produce, use it as livestock feed. Due to the damaged harvest, farmers struggle to repay loans taken out for planting melons and watermelons and are forced to request a deferral. The local administration noted that compensation is only possible if fields were insured, but talks are underway with banks to extend loans by a year.
Source: orda.kz / apk-news.kz