28.04.2025, 13:49
Ak Bidai – Terminal Increases Grain Handling Volumes Sixfold
Grain handling at the terminal grew by 509% — from 20.7 to 126.1 thousand tons in the first quarter

The grain terminal "Ak Bidai – Terminal," located in the port of Aktau, completed the first quarter of 2025 with impressive momentum: the volume of grain handling surged by 509% compared to the same period last year.
For the first time in two years, the facility operated at full production capacity, demonstrating its technical readiness for large-scale shipments.
During a working visit to the terminal, the Minister of Agriculture, Aidarbek Saparov, was informed that from January to March, the complex received 40 cargo ships and shipped 126.1 thousand tons of grain.
A year earlier, the figure barely reached 20.7 thousand tons, meaning the current result is six times higher than last year's.
A key driver of growth was the high demand from the Iranian market for Kazakh barley: over 60 thousand tons are already being prepared for shipment to the Islamic Republic through the Food Corporation.
Private traders have also become more active: to date, 12 long-term contracts have been signed for grain handling through "Ak Bidai – Terminal" until the end of 2025.
The terminal's infrastructure is fully equipped to handle growing volumes without bottlenecks:
▫️ 11 silos with a total capacity of 22.5 thousand tons ensure efficient storage;
▫️ Conveyor lines are designed for 350 tons per hour, allowing the intake of up to 3 thousand tons from railcars and the shipment of up to 4 thousand tons onto vessels daily.
Given the current pace, terminal management expects annual handling volumes to approach 400 thousand tons.
According to experts, this will strengthen Kazakhstan's position in the Caspian region and allow a more flexible response to the needs of Middle Eastern buyers.
The growth of "Ak Bidai – Terminal" confirms that modernization of the Caspian infrastructure is starting to yield tangible results, providing Kazakh grain producers with an additional channel to access international markets.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
▫️ Grain handling at the terminal grew by 509% — from 20.7 to 126.1 thousand tons in the first quarter.
▫️ Demand from Iran for Kazakh barley drove the surge, with a 60 thousand ton shipment in preparation.
▫️ The terminal's infrastructure enables daily intake and shipment of up to 4 thousand tons, aiming for a record 400 thousand tons in 2025.