Shipments of Kazakhstani grain to Afghanistan increased 4.4-fold in the first eight months of 2026, reaching 655,000 tons, according to Deputy Minister of Transport Zhanibek Taizhanov.
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Kazakhstan transported 9.3 million tons of grain by rail during the period, up 13% from the same period in 2025. Of that total, 7.2 million tons were shipped for export, while 2.1 million tons were transported for the domestic market.
Growth was recorded on several routes:
- Central Asian countries: up 37%.
- China: up 34%.
- Through Russian ports: up 9%.
- Afghanistan: up 4.4-fold, to 655,000 tons.
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Rail fleet prepared for new harvest
«The necessary railcars and locomotives have been prepared to transport the new harvest. Currently, there are 16,900 grain hopper cars, 17,800 covered wagons and more than 2,000 locomotives available,» Taizhanov said.
Taizhanov added that the railcar and locomotive fleet has expanded from last year. He said the available rolling stock is sufficient to transport the entire harvest and that logistics capacity can be increased if necessary. The government has also reported that the rail fleet is ready to handle the new harvest in full.
Kazakhstan’s grain harvest exceeds expectations
Kursiv.media previously reported that the harvest campaign is underway across Kazakhstan’s regions. Weather conditions during the growing season varied, with some northern and central regions receiving insufficient rainfall.
