Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Set Decade-Long Freight Record in 2025

The heads of the national railway companies of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan met at the Maktaaral station to discuss a significant milestone in bilateral trade. The meeting focused on the results of freight transportation and future plans for developing cross-border rail infrastructure.

The parties announced that 2025 marked the most successful year for rail freight cooperation in the past decade. The total volume of goods transported between the two countries reached 32.3 million tons, representing a 16% increase compared to 2024 figures.

Kazakhstan's exports accounted for 13 million tons, an increase of 8.5%. Notably, grain shipments to Uzbekistan saw a substantial rise of 32%, exceeding 4.5 million tons. The positive trend has continued into early 2026, with January-February volumes reaching 6.6 million tons—a remarkable 37.5% growth compared to the same period last year. Both sides anticipate further increases in cargo flow by the end of the current year.

A key topic of discussion was the ongoing construction of the new Darbaza–Maktaaral railway line, which will connect to the Maktaaral–Syrdarya interstate crossing point. The railway executives exchanged information on developing junction points and modernizing infrastructure, including implementing advanced automatic block signaling and centralized communication systems.

Both leaders emphasized their high regard for bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close dialogue to strengthen the region's transit potential.