Ukraine ranks second in rail freight turnover among EU and candidate countries

Ukraine ranked second in rail freight turnover among EU member states and candidate countries in 2025. According to Eurostat, Ukraine’s rail freight turnover reached 99 bln tonne-kilometres.

Only Germany recorded a higher figure at 124 bln tonne-kilometres. Among EU member states, Poland followed with 54 bln tonne-kilometres, while France recorded 34 bln tonne-kilometres.

At the same time, Ukraine’s rail freight turnover declined by 12.5% in 2025. Among candidate countries, a steeper fall was recorded only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where turnover dropped 22.7%, while Montenegro posted a 15% increase.

Rail freight turnover also declined across much of the EU. Of the 24 member states that reported data, 16 recorded decreases. The sharpest falls were seen in Ireland at 35.2%, Latvia at 18.8%, Estonia at 17.3%, Hungary at 12.5% and Romania at 12.1%.

Overall, EU rail freight turnover fell by 1.8% in 2025 to 368 bln tonne-kilometres. Eurostat said the declines in Latvia and Estonia were largely linked to the halt in freight traffic with Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Tags: rail transportation, Ukraine, EU