China–Kazakhstan Transit Cargo Volumes Reach Record High
2026-07-16 16:11
Transit freight from China through Kazakhstan continued its strong growth in 2025, reaching 20.2 million tonnes, an increase of 32% compared to the previous year. According to available statistics, this is the highest annual volume on record.
The steady upward trend has continued for more than a decade, with particularly rapid growth over the past four years. Industry experts attribute this to both the reconfiguration of international trade routes and ongoing investments in Kazakhstan's transport infrastructure. A key milestone was the commissioning of the second Dostyk–Moyynty railway line, which increased the section's capacity from 12 to 60 train pairs per day.
Uzbekistan remained the largest destination for Chinese transit cargo moving through Kazakhstan. Other major destinations included Kazakhstan (consolidated cargo), Russia, Iran, Poland, Tajikistan and Belarus.
Among these markets, Iran recorded the strongest growth and made the largest contribution to the overall increase in transit volumes, highlighting the growing importance of transport links connecting China, Central Asia and the Middle East through Kazakhstan.
The continued growth in transit traffic further strengthens Kazakhstan's position as a strategic logistics hub connecting Asia and Europe and underscores the increasing importance of international transport corridors for regional trade.