Category: Freight

Logistics Diversification: Kazakhstan is expanding use of Trans-Caspian grain routes to Europe and North Africa, reducing reliance on traditional Black Sea lanes. Stable Russian Flows: Rostov-on-Don handled over 8 million tons and 3,800 vessels in 2025, confirming resilient export activity with wider reach into Asia and Africa. Oilseed Ambitions: Planned investment in Caspian oil-loading terminals…

Exports Decline: Russian grain exports fell 18.9% year-on-year in January 2026 to 2.99 million tonnes, driven mainly by steep drops in corn and barley shipments. Logistics Strain: Kazakhstan’s rail bottlenecks, with railcar idle times above 10 days at Kostanay, are creating significant delivery risks and cost pressures for regional exporters. Price Competitiveness: Russian wheat remains…

Record exports vs. weak margins: Kazakhstan shipped a record 1.7 million tonnes of soft wheat in December 2025, yet farmer profitability remains under pressure from tenge devaluation and tight liquidity. Import paradox: Despite a bumper 2025 harvest, Kazakhstan continues importing around 1.5 million tonnes of Russian grain annually because exchange rate disparities make Russian wheat cheaper for…

Canadian canola exports to China collapsed 92% to 0.2 million tonnes in Aug–Nov 2025 due to prohibitive Chinese tariffs. Canadian soybeans gained share in China, with shipments up 48% YoY to a record 1 million tonnes, capturing 36% of total Canadian soy exports. Canola meal flows were successfully redirected, led by record US imports of…

Kazakhstan is launching deep grain processing projects totaling 2 million tons of annual capacity for wheat and corn. DALIAN HESHENG GROUP is building a 1 million ton wheat processing facility; FUFENG GROUP is constructing a 1 million ton corn plant. State support via investment contracts and guarantees is attracting international processors and signaling long-term policy…

Exports down 28% YoY: Ukraine shipped 18.941 million tons of grain as of February 2, 2025/26 MY, versus 26.449 million tons a year earlier. Wheat and corn hit hard: Wheat exports fell 23% to 8.488 million tons, while corn dropped 31% to 8.815 million tons year-on-year. February pace collapsing: Only 34 thousand tons shipped in…

Policy shift: Russia lifted the gasoline export ban for producers from January 31 but imposed new export bans on traders to stabilize the domestic market. Seasonal risk: Analysts expect potential reintroduction of broader export restrictions in spring as fuel demand rises ahead of the sowing season. Cost pressure: Retail fuel prices are expected to climb…

Russian wheat, barley, and corn export duties remain at zero through February 10, sustaining Russia’s competitive pricing in global grain markets despite marginal price upticks. Railway derailment on the Gorky Railway introduces short-term logistical constraints, while Saratov Region’s export growth and expanded market reach add ongoing pressure to Black Sea basis levels. Russian Grain Export…

Export Growth: Russian oilseed exports reached 1.5 million tons in September–December 2025, up 36% year-on-year. Flaxseed Strength: Flaxseed led the complex at 670,000 tons (+39%), with China and Belarus as key outlets. Diversified Demand: Sunflower oil shipments hit 1.44 million tons, driven by India, Turkey, and Belarus. Freight Tailwind: Higher flows support sustained demand and…

Neutral to Slightly Bearish for Ukrainian logistics: Grain rail flows are increasingly concentrated on the Hungarian corridor, while volumes through Slovakia, Poland, and Romania decline, reducing route diversification. Neutral for Russian freight and fertilizer: Stable export volumes from Rostov Oblast and sustained global leadership in fertilizer exports underline Russia’s continued freight capacity, but highlight buyer…