Freight traffic between Kazakhstan and China reached 18.7 million tons in the first half of 2026, an increase of 9% compared to the same period last year, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Transport.
Growth was observed in both directions. Seven million tons of freight were transported from China to Kazakhstan in the first six months, a 9% increase compared to the first half of last year. A total of 11.7 million tons were shipped from Kazakhstan to China, a 10% increase on-year. Of this, Kazakh export shipments to China (ore, animal feed, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, grain, oil, and petroleum products) totaled 8.5 million tons, an increase of 20% compared to the same period in 2025.
Cooperation between the railway administrations of the two countries facilitated the increase in freight volumes. Particular attention is being paid to developing border infrastructure, increasing border crossing capacity, and creating conditions for a further increase in freight traffic.
The Dostyk border crossing has made a significant contribution to the growth in freight traffic. In the first six months of this year, 10.6 million tons of freight were transported through it, a 15% increase compared to the first half of 2025.
Opened in 1990, the Dostyk station has become a key link in organizing freight traffic between Kazakhstan and China. Over the past few years, modern infrastructure and terminals have been established on both sides of the state border.
Positive momentum is also continuing at the Altynkol border crossing. In the first half of the year, freight traffic through it amounted to 8.1 million tons, an increase of 2% compared to the same period last year.
Due to its strategic location, Altynkol is a key link in the international transport corridors linking countries in Asia and Europe.
