Kazakhstan reports an 18% increase in shipping with China in January

The two countries exchanged 2.8 million tons of goods last month / Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Milosh Muratovskiy

In January, the volume of railway shipping between Kazakhstan and China increased by 18%. During that period, the two countries exchanged 2.8 million tons of goods, which represents a 25% increase compared to last year.

According to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company, the Dostyk border crossing reported a 12% increase in January, reaching 1.5 million tons.

«The Altynkol border crossing reported 1.3 million tons of cargo transported through the point, marking a 25% increase over January 2024. The export of Kazakhstani goods to China grew by 5%, reaching 1.1 million tons. This means that the volume of railway shipments between Kazakhstan and China rose by 18%, reaching 2.8 million tons in January 2025,» the company said in a statement.

KTZ also clarified which types of cargo exports have increased:

Metal ores by 5% (652,000 tons);
Non-ferrous metals by 77% (104,000 tons);
Oil products by 50% (32,000 tons);
Other cargo (milling by-products, feedstuff and vegetable oil) by 30% (215,000 tons).

Along with boosting railway shipment of goods, KTZ is also investing in passenger transportation. This year, the company plans to purchase 226 new railcars, which will serve 12 destinations across the country and the region.