Kazakhstan restricts empty grain wagons from Central Asia

Kazakhstan Railways has temporarily banned the entry of empty wagons used for grain transportation from Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan. The logistics platform LogiStan reported this development.

The restriction applies to empty grain wagons from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, prohibiting their transportation to all railway stations in Kazakhstan. According to an official telegram sent to shippers and national railway administrations, the ban is effective from February 26 to March 8, 2025.

While no official reason has been provided, experts suggest that an excessive number of wagons on Kazakhstan’s rail network has led to logistical challenges.

This measure follows Kazakhstan’s earlier decision to ban the export of potatoes to third countries, which came into effect on January 28, 2025. The move was aimed at stabilizing the domestic market and preventing sharp price increases.