Representatives of KTZ held meetings with grain exporters of the northern region

28-03-2024

Meetings were held in Kokshetau and Petropavlovsk to organize the transportation of grain from the new harvest. The event was attended by representatives of Atameken NPP, Astyk Trans JSC, exporters of grain products and traders.

The northern regions of Kazakhstan (Akmola, Kostanay and North Kazakhstan) are leaders in the production of grain and milling products and the largest exporters of grain in the country.
According to KTZ, from September 2022 to June 2023, grain loading increased by 29% compared to the level of the previous season, exports by 33%. Loading of grinding products increased by 28%, exports by 31%. Transportation for Kazakhstanis increased by 20%.

At the meeting, Deputy General Director of KTZ-Freight Transportation LLP Nurzhan Kelbuganov noted that the share of exports of grain and grinding products increased to 82% and 76%, respectively. Compared to the previous season, grain exports to Uzbekistan increased by 31%, Tajikistan by 30%, and Afghanistan by 48%. In the direction of MSSP Saryagash, grain exports increased by 33%, grinding products - by 20%. Thanks to joint work with the Uzbek Railway Administration, the crossing's capacity increased from 18 to 30 trains per day.

This season, grain transportation to China has increased 4 times and reached 1.1 million tons. China is ready to receive every day 2 trains in grain carriers in bulk and one train in covered wagons (packaged in bags), on shipping routes (from one consignor to one consignee in the bonded zone of Alashankou station). At the same time, the Chinese side asks to increase the transportation of grain cargo in containers through the Altynkol-Khorgos crossing. One of the effective ways to transport grain cargo remains routing. It is planned to achieve a routing level of up to 75 -80%.

The meeting discussed the import of grain from border countries under the “hidden (gray)” transit scheme. In recent years, grain imports by rail alone have grown to 1.5 million tons per year, which is why the domestic market is suffering losses.

Grain loading enterprises are recommended to work on weekends and holidays, and shippers to carry out uniform planning and shipments throughout the month. It was noted that exporters need to develop loading capacity and modernize access roads - this will increase the volume of grain shipments. A significant part of the access roads was built during the Soviet period and has not been repaired since the last century. In addition, a number of elevators do not have their own locomotives and wagon scales.

There are about 19 thousand cars in Kazakhstan, of which 32% of the total fleet or more than 6 thousand cars in the fleet of Kaztemirtrans JSC (KTT). The existing fleet can provide transportation of the entire crop both domestically and for export.
It should be noted that rental of KTT cars

- below the market price, so rolling stock is in great demand among shippers. The situation is similar for grain carriers of Astyk Trans JSC, the rate for which is 50% lower than that of other owners. Also, the fleet of wagons of the railway administrations of neighboring countries is actively used for the transportation of ground products. At the same time, cases are recorded when cars arrive at stations and stand idle, which significantly reduces the stations' capacity. This situation arose at Kostanay station.
KTZ maintains active communications with all stakeholders to ensure efficient transportation of grain from the new harvest. 

Press service of JSC «NC«Kazakhstan Temir Zholy»