Kazakhstan bans Russian animal feed wheat amid cattle disease outbreak, raising supply concerns

KAZAKHSTAN – Kazakhstan has banned imports of animal feed wheat from Russia following an outbreak of cattle diseases in several Russian regions bordering Kazakhstan, Reuters reported.

The restrictions, issued by the State Inspection Committee on March 21, come amid mass culling of livestock in the Novosibirsk region, where Russian authorities have reported cases of pasteurellosis and rabies.

While Russian officials classify the outbreak as pasteurellosis, a bacterial pneumonia often treatable with antibiotics, farmers and veterinarians have questioned the necessity of large-scale culling.

The measures have sparked rare protests in Russia, with farmers demanding resignations from top agricultural officials.

Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Ministry clarified that the ban only applies to feed-grade wheat and other grains used in animal feed, leaving food-grade wheat imports unaffected.

Since September 2025, Kazakhstan imported around 0.9 million metric tons of wheat from Russia, for both food and feed purposes.

The decision reflects heightened caution over cross-border disease transmission and the potential impact on livestock health.

Kazakhstan’s animal feed market is heavily reliant on imports, particularly wheat, barley, and other cereals, which form the backbone of ruminant and poultry feed.

The country produces a mix of compound feed and specialty rations, with livestock feed accounting for a significant portion of total cereal imports.

Domestic feed production is concentrated around major livestock hubs, including Almaty, North Kazakhstan, and Akmola regions, but supply is sensitive to international grain availability and price fluctuations.

Industry analysts warn that the ban may strain livestock feed availability, potentially increasing feed costs and putting pressure on dairy and meat producers.

The disruption highlights the sector’s vulnerability to external shocks, including disease outbreaks in neighboring countries and geopolitical tensions affecting trade.

The move also signals opportunities for domestic feed producers and grain farmers to increase output and diversify supply sources.

Strengthening local production and enhancing biosecurity protocols will be critical for Kazakhstan to reduce dependency on imported feed and ensure the stability of its livestock sector in the face of ongoing regional challenges.

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