Uzbekistan buys half of Kazakhstan’s grain exports

In January–August 2026, Kazakhstan exported 7.2 mln tons of grain by rail, of which 3.6 mln tons, or exactly half, went to Uzbekistan. Uzbek purchases increased by 50% compared with the same period last year.

Kazakhstan’s total grain exports by rail rose by 14% from 6.3 mln tons a year earlier. Central Asia remained the main destination, receiving 4.8 mln tons, up 37% year-on-year.

Kazakhstan shipped 1 mln tons of grain to Tajikistan, up 17%. Deliveries to Afghanistan increased 4.4-fold to 655 thsd tons, while exports to China rose by 33% to 558 thsd tons.

Total domestic and export grain transportation by rail reached 9.3 mln tons in the first eight months of the year, up 13% year-on-year. In August alone, shipments increased by 35% to 1.1 mln tons.

Uzbekistan’s high share confirms its key role as a market for Kazakh grain but also highlights the significant concentration of exports in a single destination. Further shipment growth will depend on demand in Central Asia and rail logistics capacity.

Tags: China, Kazakhstan, grain, Tajikistan, wheat, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan