Mongolia and Kazakhstan lead exports of grade 3 wheat from Russia
In 2025, the Russian grain export market faced an important shift: Grade 3 wheat It has sharply shifted from traditional buyers of the Middle East and South Asia to the CIS countries. The main directions became Mongolia and KazakhstanIn the 2024/25 and early 2025 season, they became the largest consumers of medium-quality grain.
Increased demand has led to the wheat supplies from Russia to Kazakhstan Mongolia actually took the first place among all importers of Russian wheat class 3. It changed. Export structure of wheat 3 class from RussiaIt strengthened the role of land logistics and made the market more stable for Russian farmers.
Why Grade 3 wheat is no longer a priority for long-distance buyers
Traditional buyers - Turkey, Egypt, Bangladesh - in 2024-2025. significantly reduced the purchase of grain grade 3. Reasons:
1. Strengthen quality requirements
Grade 3 wheat exports to these countries have become more difficult due to increased requirements for:
- gluten level;
- protein;
- clogged;
- humidity.
Most long-distance buyers prefer class 2 wheat And premium grades.
2. Competition with other exporters
Ukraine, Australia and Argentina are actively displacing Russian grain in a number of markets.
3. Logistics factors
Rising rates on shipping have made exports of cheap consignments less profitable.
Outcome: A significant part of Russian wheat grade 3 began to be supplied to the near abroad – where the requirements are softer, logistics are shorter, and demand is stable.
Thus formed a new answer to the question. Where does wheat 3rd class from Russia go?: now mainly in Kazakhstan and Mongolia.
Kazakhstan: a sharp increase in wheat supplies from Russia in 2024-2025
In 2025, Kazakhstan became one of the key importers:
Why Kazakhstan Is Buying Russian Grade 3 Wheat
- Deficiency of own grain of the right quality
Despite its status as a producer, Kazakhstan often lacks middle-class wheat for domestic processing.
- Profitable logistics
Kazakhstan is short supply shoulders, fast transitions and low transportation costs.
- Price.
The price of Russian wheat grade 3 in 2025 is much lower than exports to distant destinations.
- Regular supply of grain to Kazakhstan from Russia
The volume of supplies is steadily growing due to long-term contracts with Russian traders.
Statistics for 2025
According to preliminary data of the FCS and the Ministry of Agriculture:
- Supply growth 40-60% compared to 2023-2024;
- Kazakhstan became the second largest buyer of Russian wheat class 3.
Grade 3 wheat exports to Kazakhstan in 2025 became the main driver of sales of medium-sized grain.
Mongolia - The new leader of the import of Russian wheat class 3
Why Mongolia Is Buying Grade 3 Wheat
- High dependence on imports
Mongolia imports almost all grain and flour – its own production is not enough.
- Growth of livestock and milling industry
The country needs an inexpensive raw material base for the production of feed and flour.
- Optimum price and quality
For the Mongolian market Grade 3 wheat A perfect balance of cost and quality.
- Profitable land logistics
Russia and Mongolia are connected by convenient railway crossings – this reduces the delivery time.
Grade 3 wheat supplies to Mongolia
Exports increased by 70-90% for the season 2024-2025, which makes Mongolia the largest buyer of grade 3 wheat from Russia.
Phrase Mongolia imports wheat from Russia It became one of the key export statistics of the second half of 2024.
TOP-5 buyers of Russian wheat 3 class in 2025
Below is a comparative table that reflects Export structure of wheat 3 class from Russia:
| Country. | Status | Reason for procurement | Approximate volume (2025) |
| Mongolia | buyer | dependency on imports, profitable logistics | highest |
| Kazakhstan | main importer | Grain deficiency, short shoulder | high |
| Uzbekistan | stable-buyer | processing and domestic consumption | middle-class |
| Azerbaijan | flour-processing | proximity | middle-class |
| Tajikistan | rising-market | dependence on imports, logistics through Kazakhstan | growing |
These countries form Top buyers of Russian wheat grade 3 in 2025This will determine the export structure for the coming years.
Logistics and economics: why it is beneficial for both Russia and customers
1. Short delivery arm
Deliveries to Kazakhstan and Mongolia are railway routes without a sea component, which reduces logistics costs.
2. Higher margins
Although the price of wheat grade 3 is lower than the export premium, the cost of delivery to Central Asia is 2-3 times lower.
3. Stable demand
Grade 3 wheat exports to Mongolia and Kazakhstan year-roundIt supports Russian farmers.
4. Optimization of sales markets
This trend saves producers in seasons when coarse and high-end food wheat sells worse.
Forecast for 2026: will the trend continue
Analysts note that in 2025-2026:
- The share of Mongolia and Kazakhstan in imports of wheat grade 3 will grow.
- Russia will retain its status as a key supplier of grain to Mongolia.
- Grade 3 wheat exports from Russia may increase by another 10-15%.
- Largest wheat importers of grade 3 wheat 2025–2026 will remain the same: Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan.
Grade 3 wheat, where is it supplied in 2025-2026?
The answer is obvious: first of all, in the near abroad.
The Mongolian and Kazakh markets have become key export destinations for Russian medium-quality wheat. In 2024-2025, these countries became the Leaders in Wheat Import Class 3In 2025-2026, the trend is only intensifying.
For Russia, this is a stable, growing market that provides benefits to farmers and stability of export statistics.
