Decline in Rail Freight Transportation

According to information provided by CTS, in 2025 rail transport in Ukraine carried 161.3 million tonnes of freight, which is 13.6 million tonnes, or 7.8%, less than in 2024.

At the same time, for the first time in recent years of observation, grain cargo fell to third place in terms of transportation volumes, уступing to construction materials.

By cargo category, the situation in the previous year was as follows: iron ore shipments amounted to 42.8 million tonnes, which is 1.3% lower than in 2024; mineral construction materials surpassed grain cargo for the first time, reaching 31.2 million tonnes (+3%); grain cargo totaled 28.8 million tonnes (–27.3%).

With regard to transportation directions, exports amounted to 74 million tonnes (45.9% of the total freight volume); imports totaled 12.3 million tonnes (7.6% of the total); transit transportation accounted for 0.5 million tonnes (0.3%); and domestic transportation reached 74.5 million tonnes (46.2% of the total freight volume).

The main reasons for the decline in the freight base were reduced shipments of coal and grain.

In 2023, rail transport carried 148 million tonnes of freight; in 2022, 151 million tonnes; and in 2021 (prior to the start of the full-scale invasion), 314 million tonnes.

CTS is an independent information and consulting center focused on the study of individual transport and infrastructure projects, as well as on the analysis and forecasting of the development of the transport sector.

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