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For farmers› Logistics

Grain logistics: KTZ railcars, grain trucks, road haulage and savings

How to order railcars for grain, what is happening with rail tariffs and how to cut transport costs.

Rail: the main export channel

In Kazakhstan, large volumes of grain move by rail. According to KTZ, for the 2024 season the fleet numbered more than12,600 grain hopper cars, about 6,000 of which were allocated to exports. More than 15,000 covered wagons were also used for flour and grain shipments to China. At the peak of the season KTZ runs a 24/7 “grain headquarters”.

How to order railcars

  • Submit aGU-12 transport requestin the electronic system of KTZ Freight Transportation JSC. A guide for shippers is published on ktzh-gp.kz.
  • Submit the request in advance, before the start of the shipping month: railcars are scarce in season, especially on the Uzbekistan and China routes.
  • Railcars can be obtained from KTZ or leased from private operators. The KTT fleet offers grain cars at socially oriented rates.
  • Small volumes are cheaper to ship via an elevator with a rail siding: it orders the railcars and forms the block train itself.

Rail tariffs: what to expect

According to KTZ's statement in the Mazhilis (October 2025), grain transport tariffs rose by an average of 24% over two years. A state commission decision provides for increases of 24% a year in 2024–2026. KTZ considers its grain tariffs the lowest in the CIS: by its figures, the cost of carriage is roughly twice the tariff. The exact rate for your route is calculated by KTZ or a freight forwarder and depends on distance, wagon type and direction.

Road haulage

  • Trucks are convenient for moving grain from the field to the elevator, and over short distances to mills and neighbouring countries.
  • The rate is negotiated with the carrier: per trip, per tonne or per tonne-kilometre. There are no official standard rates.
  • Require a contract, CMR or consignment note, and a sealed truck body from the carrier. Weigh the truck at loading and unloading.
  • Observe permitted axle loads: overload fines fall on the carrier, but they also delay the cargo.

How to save

  • Ship off-peak: in September–November railcars are scarcer and private operators charge more.
  • Team up with neighboursor through a cooperative: a block train is cheaper than single-wagon shipment.
  • Sell on an FCA station basis if you cannot guarantee railcars: the logistics risk passes to the buyer.
  • Use the exporter compensation. The Food Contract Corporation partly reimburses transport costs: as of late 2025, about 40% of the export price on nearby routes and 20–30% on distant ones (for example, via Baltic ports). KZT 30 billion has been allocated for 2026. Applications are reviewed in order of receipt, and to receive compensation you must confirm delivery of the grain to the destination country.
  • Compare netbacks: an expensive DAP basis can pay better than EXW if the buyer pays well for delivery.

Lead times

Delivery to subsidised markets can take up to 30 days (according to the Food Contract Corporation). Allow for time at border crossings (Saryagash, Bolashak, the crossings to China) and for the return of empty wagons.