Rail freight between Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries increased 34% in the first three months of 2026, compared to the same period last year. “Kazakhstan is consistently strengthening its position and contributing to the stability of trade and economic ties in the region”, Kazakh Railways (KTZ) pointed out.
Rail freight growth was especially strong for export and transit traffic along the Middle Corridor. Grain exports recorded a +50% reaching over 2 million tonnes. Moreover, “ferrous metal exports increased by 43% (to 442,000 tons), and petroleum product exports by 6% (212,000 tons)”, KTZ said.
Transit volumes increased in both directions as well. In the direction of Central Asian countries, there was a 42% increase in ferrous metals and a 28% each for petroleum and food products. In the opposite direction, transit of soda doubled, fruits and vegetables rose by 50% and non-ferrous ore by 10%, the company specified.
Not just a transit area
These figures show that the Middle Corridor does not only act as an alternative route connecting China to Europe, but links developing markets in Central Asia too. More volumes are being moved from and through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan (+37%), Turkmenistan (+31%), Tajikistan (+16%) and Kyrgyzstan (+13%). With new infrastructure projects all over Central Asia and investments coming both from within and outside (China especially), these trends are likely to continue.