Results of the 2024-2025 season – supply exceeds demand!

Based on the results of the 2024-2025 international marketing season in Kazakhstan, the first results of the transportation period can be summed up.
In the period from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, 40% more grain was transported in wagons than in the previous season, while export transportation in wagons increased by 50%.
As for pricing policy, against the background of increase in railway tariffs and increasing demand for transportation, there was a decrease in rates for the use of wagons, which became possible for several reasons:
1. Growth of the wagon fleet.
At the beginning of 2025, the total fleet of wagons in the CIS countries increased by 16 thousand units (by 14%). Particularly significant growth was noted in the Russian Federation - by 33%, while in Kazakhstan it was 7%. This increase in supply on the transportation market, especially from two key grain exporting countries in the Eurasian space, contributed to increased competition between wagon operators.
2. Dependence on yield.
A reduction in the harvest in Russia in 2024, the world’s largest wheat exporter, and a reduction in its exports by 25-30% with a significant increase in the wagon fleet have caused an excess of rolling stock. As a result, the market has faced a sharp drop in wagon rental rates due to a large number of idle units.
3. Low world grain prices.
Despite global inflation, wheat prices on the world market have remained stable for the past five years. Along with high competition between exporters, this has led to the need to reduce shipping rates in order to maintain the attractiveness of Kazakhstani grain in the international arena.
4. Presence of the Russian fleet in the Kazakhstan market.
Despite the existing restrictions in Kazakhstan on the entry of empty rolling stock from other countries, Russian wagons actively entered the Kazakhstani market. This also increased price competition and put additional pressure on rates.
5. Reduction of wagon turnover.
KTZ NC JSC implemented a number of measures to speed up the movement of wagons on the network, as well as to reduce loading and unloading times. Increased turnover allowed using fewer wagons in transportation, which in turn led to excess fleet and further reduction in rates.
Today, the grain transportation market in hopper wagons is in the saturation stage. The volume of available fleet exceeds the average annual demand, while competition from alternative modes of transport, such as container and covered wagons, is increasing.
Nevertheless, Astyk Trans JSC demonstrates resilience in the new conditions. The company maintains stable transportation volumes, continues systematic work to maintain the technical condition of wagons and actively participates in ensuring food security of the country. Regular scheduled repairs, fleet renewal and focus on the reliability of logistics processes allow Astyk Trans to be a reliable partner for customers even in the face of increased competition.
In the upcoming season, Astyk Trans JSC is ready to provide customers with the necessary volume of rolling stock and continue its mission to support the grain market of Kazakhstan.