KTZ increased grain shipments on key export routes

26-08-2026

During the first seven months of 2026, 8.1 million tons of grain were transported across the KTZ network, representing a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. Grain exports rose by 10%, reaching 6.2 million tons. Transport of milled products increased by 5%, totaling 1.6 million tons.

Over the 2025–2026 marketing year (September 2025 to July 2026), rail transport handled 14.2 million tons of grain, a 14% increase compared to the corresponding period last year. The primary growth was observed on routes to Central Asia. Shipments to Uzbekistan reached 3.1 million tons in the first seven months, up by 47%. Transport to Afghanistan amounted to 605,000 tons, representing a 4.5-fold increase over last year’s figure.

Freight volumes to China are also increasing. Over the first seven months, 449,000 tons of grain were dispatched via the Dostyk and Altynkol border crossings, a 22% increase. Notably, grain car shipments grew 17-fold, from 10,000 to 170,000 tons.

There is sufficient rolling stock available. As of August 2026, the network comprises 15,177 grain cars, including 6,382 operated by Astyk Trans JSC. The fleet of covered freight cars totals 17,066 units. Since 2015, private owners in Kazakhstan have purchased 2,578 grain cars.

The railway wagon operations market has been liberalized since 2014. Grain cars are allocated to shippers based on direct agreements with private operators, and KTZ is not a party to these contracts.

The infrastructure is also prepared to handle the growing freight volumes. In 2026, 1,577 km of track are under maintenance, including 573 km scheduled for major overhaul. In September 2025, the second track was commissioned on the Dostyk–Moynarty section. Implementation of modernization projects for the Zhetygen–Altynkol section and Altynkol station is nearing completion, which will boost capacity on the China route.

To further increase capacity, projects are underway to modernize the Tobol–Kandyagash and Shalkar–Beineu sections, as well as to construct the new Darbaza–Maktaaral railway line. These initiatives will enable a higher volume of train traffic toward Caspian Sea ports and Central Asian countries.

The main challenge for the upcoming season will be the simultaneous peak in grain and coal shipments in October. In this regard, KTZ urges shippers to submit requests in advance, ensure a steady loading schedule, and make greater use of block train shipments.

Press service of JSC «NC«Kazakhstan Temir Zholy»