China has launched regular return grain trains on the Kazakhstan-Khorgos/Alashankou-Changsha (the capital of Hunan Province in central China) route. The first train, loaded with wheat and barley from Kazakhstan, arrived in Changsha on October 22, Xinhua reports.
The launch of this regular route has created a new, efficient and stable international logistics corridor to ensure the security of food supplies to central China, according to the official website of the Hunan Provincial People's Government.
Since 2024, the total volume of grain imports into Hunan Province has continued to increase. To address the complex links, long cycle times, and high costs associated with grain imports, railway authorities have worked with various stakeholders to facilitate the launch and regular operation of return grain trains from Central Asia.
Starting in the second half of 2025, the frequency of these trains will gradually increase, and they currently operate regularly once a week. With growing market demand, the frequency is expected to increase to 3-5 weekly trips in the near future.
According to the Changsha Railway Logistics Center of the Guangzhou Branch of China Railway, the train directly delivers high-quality grain crops and processed agricultural products produced in northern Kazakhstan to Hunan Province.
The train crosses the border at Khorgos or Alashankou border crossings in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (northwest China). The transit time for the entire journey is consistently around 15 days, significantly improving efficiency compared to the traditional model and effectively reducing enterprises' comprehensive logistics costs and inventory burden.