Kazakhstan-China Rail Freight Increases 9% in First Half of 2026
Rail freight traffic between Kazakhstan and China reached 18.7 million tons in the first half of 2026, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period last year, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport.
Data from Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) showed growth in freight volumes in both directions. Imports from China totaled 7 million tons, up 9% year-on-year, while shipments from Kazakhstan to China increased 10% to 11.7 million tons. Exports accounted for 8.5 million tons of that volume, representing a 20% increase compared to the first half of 2025.
Major export commodities included iron ore, animal feed, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, grain, crude oil and petroleum products.
According to KTZ, the growth was supported by close cooperation between the railway administrations of Kazakhstan and China, ongoing expansion of border infrastructure and measures to increase the capacity of cross-border rail crossings.
The Dostyk border crossing remained the largest rail gateway between the two countries, handling 10.6 million tons of freight during the reporting period, up 15% year-on-year. Export shipments through the crossing also increased 15% to 5.4 million tons.
The Altynkol border crossing processed 8.1 million tons of cargo, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year. Export traffic through the station recorded stronger growth, rising 29% to 3.1 million tons.
