Kazakhstan Maintains Pulse Acreage in 2026, but Lentil Plantings Fall

Statistics Kazakhstan has released its 2026 pulse acreage estimates, showing a slight decline in overall pulse plantings after last year's record expansion. Total pulse acreage is estimated at around 1% below the 2025 level, indicating that farmers have largely maintained pulse cultivation despite shifting preferences among individual crops.

Lentils remain Kazakhstan's dominant pulse crop, accounting for approximately 76% of the country's total pulse area in 2026. However, growers reduced lentil plantings by about 9% from the record acreage seeded last season. The decline suggests that producers adjusted their cropping plans following last year's expansion, although lentils continue to be the backbone of Kazakhstan's pulse sector. Production remains heavily concentrated in the northern agricultural regions of North Kazakhstan, Kostanay, and Akmola, which together account for the majority of the country's lentil output.

While lentil acreage declined, Kazakh farmers increased plantings of other pulse crops. Combined acreage for peas, chickpeas, and other minor pulses rose by approximately 33% compared with the previous year. The sharp increase reflects a shift toward greater crop diversification as growers respond to changing market opportunities, rotational requirements, and production economics. Although these crops still occupy a much smaller share of total pulse acreage than lentils, their rapid expansion highlights a gradual broadening of Kazakhstan's pulse production base and could support more diversified export opportunities in the coming years.

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