Kazakhstan maintains its position among the world’s leading grain exporters

In 2025, Kazakhstan harvested a record 25.9 million tons of grain, including 19.3 million tons of wheat. Domestic consumption amounts to about 9 million tons, or roughly 35% of total production. The remaining volume is exported: Kazakhstan ranks among the top ten grain exporters globally, generating significant foreign currency revenues and playing an important role in the global grain supply system. As a landlocked country, efficient railway infrastructure remains the key factor for stable exports.

Sergey Mosolkin, head of Astyk Trans, shared the company’s 2025 results and outlook for 2026 with ElDala.kz.

According to him, including grain, oilseeds, and legumes, the total harvest in 2025 reached approximately 30.9 million tons. Astyk Trans transported 5.3 million tons of agricultural cargo during the year, including 3.5 million tons for export. In 2026, the company aims to maintain these volumes and expand its export geography.

At the same time, the 2026/2027 agricultural season is characterized by uncertainty. Despite an overall upward trend in production supported by government policy, experts point to risks of reduced yields due to weather conditions, particularly temperature and moisture levels. However, even with a potential decline, the harvest is expected to remain substantial, preserving strong export potential.

In this context, the company plans to keep its rolling stock and logistics solutions ready for various scenarios — from moderate volumes to possible growth in case of another record harvest.

The company notes that the transportation market includes many participants. Astyk Trans owns 3,600 grain wagons and leases or attracts another 2,800. Other Kazakh operators have around 7,600 grain hoppers, up to 3,000 covered wagons, and the Russian fleet can reach 7,000 wagons during peak periods. Overall, the number of wagons has nearly doubled in recent years, from 12–13 thousand to over 24 thousand by December 2025, excluding container transport.

Growing competition has led to an oversupply of wagons, which benefits shippers in the short term but reduces profitability and may slow fleet renewal.

The company places particular emphasis on domestic transportation, which remains socially significant. Astyk Trans supplies grain to flour mills and the livestock sector, including southern regions, at preferential tariffs. This is supported by leasing approximately 1,600 wagons from Kaztemirtrans. Memorandums have been signed with flour mills to supply up to 3,156 wagons per month.

According to Mosolkin, maintaining these wagons in domestic transport is critical for ensuring stable supply to processing facilities.

Recent record harvests have posed significant challenges for logistics. However, thanks to railway efficiency and the introduction of route-based shipments, high volumes have been maintained. In November–December 2025, monthly shipments reached 1.5–1.7 million tons, while total annual grain transportation rose to 14.6 million tons, up 31%.

Transport subsidies have also played a key role, enabling expansion into new export destinations, including Europe, Africa, the Caucasus, and Afghanistan. As a result, grain exports in the 2024/2025 marketing year increased by 33%, from 8.3 to 11 million tons.

Subsidies boosted farmers’ incomes: additional revenue exceeded $500 million annually, and prices increased by $40–45 per ton, helping stabilize the domestic market.

China remains a promising direction, with growing demand for processed products. In 2025, exports of feed flour to China exceeded 2.8 million tons, nearly doubling. Meanwhile, shipments of grain and oilseeds in wagons and containers declined.

Experts note that further export growth will depend on infrastructure capacity and market access conditions in China.

Overall, the sector continues to show growth in production and export diversification. There is no shortage of rolling stock, and future export potential will depend on infrastructure development and government support.