According to current data from Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company (KTZ), from September 1 to 25 of this year, the volume of new-harvest grain transported amounted to 1 million tons, 14% higher than the same period last year (878,000 tons). Of this, 777,000 tons were exported, according to the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
"Of the total volume transported, 258,000 tons of grain were used for domestic needs (155,000 tons in 2024), and 777,000 tons were exported (723,000 tons last year)," the ministry reported.
There has been a positive trend in grain exports to Uzbekistan (a 31% increase, from 250,000 tons to 327,000 tons), Tajikistan (a 15% increase, from 116,000 tons to 133,000 tons), Kyrgyzstan (a 42% increase, from 6,000 tons to 25,000 tons), and Azerbaijan (a twofold increase, to 12,000 tons).
"The growth in export volumes reflects high yields, stable demand for Kazakh grain in foreign markets, and the effectiveness of the logistics infrastructure, including rail transport," the press service noted.
The Ministry of Agriculture also noted that the Rules for the Payment of Subsidies Aimed at Reducing Costs Associated with Grain Transportation, as well as the Rules for Subsidizing the Expenses of National Companies Operating in the Agro-Industrial Sector, have been extended until September 1, 2026.
Partial subsidies are provided for transportation along the following transit routes:
- through Russia to ports on the Azov, Black, and Baltic Seas;
- through Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia to ports on the Baltic Sea;
- through Russia destined for Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia;
- through Azerbaijan and Georgia to ports on the Black Sea;
- through Turkmenistan destined for Afghanistan;
- through Turkmenistan destined for Iran;
- through China to countries in Southeast Asia;
through Russia destined for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia.
"Depending on the export destination, the compensation amount varies from 20,000 to 30,000 tenge per ton of grain," the ministry specified.
As of September 15, 2025, the program operator, JSC NC Food Contract Corporation, transferred 19.1 billion tenge to the accounts of grain producers and exporters for the transportation of 828,400 tons of wheat. The corporation received a total of 553 requests for reimbursement of transportation costs. The total volume of wheat exports amounted to 1.2 million tons, worth 28.2 billion tenge. Of this, the largest share of grain was exported to Azerbaijan (43%), the Baltic countries (30%), and via the Baltic and Black Seas (16%). Afghanistan and Georgia accounted for 6% and 5% of exports, respectively.
In the first eight months of 2025, Kazakhstan exported approximately 12.8 million tons of grain, maintaining its position in traditional markets—Central Asia and the Caspian region—while also opening new sales channels.
In particular, Morocco, Algeria, Vietnam, and several European countries—Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Norway, and the United Kingdom—became buyers of Kazakh wheat for the first time in a long time.
"The extension of state support measures until September 1, 2026, will help maintain positive export momentum and increase the competitiveness of Kazakh wheat in the global market," the Ministry of Agriculture noted.