Kazakhstan increased coal exports through Russia to a historical maximum

Based on the results of the first seven months of 2026, Kazakhstan increased coal exports to the EU countries and Turkey in transit through Russia by 20 percent compared to the same period last year, to 7.8 million tons, which was a historical maximum. Vedomosti reported this with reference to a review by the Argus agency.

Deliveries increased mainly through the ports of Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea and Taman on the Black Sea - by 1.8 times and by 13 percent, to 4.7 million tons and 2.6 million tons, respectively. The remaining volumes go by rail through the Russian ports of St. Petersburg and Vyborg, as well as the Latvian Ventspils.

The largest buyers of coal from Kazakhstan in Europe are Poland and the Netherlands. In addition, supplies transited through Russia to China, Japan and Malaysia.

In 2025, exports of Kazakh coal in transit through Russia increased by 27 percent, to 11.7 million tons, with total sales abroad of 30.3 million tons (plus 4 percent). Its supplies to Russia, on the contrary, decreased by 4 percent, to 16.5 million tons.

According to Argus, growth in transit exports will slow in the second half of the year due to problems with shipments through Taman. It is not easy to redirect all volumes to the Baltic ports due to the limited capacity of railways.

Advisor to the managing fund "Industrial Code" Maxim Shaposhnikov explained the interest in Kazakh coal in Europe by rising gas prices. In the context of sanctions against the Russian coal industry, the option of purchasing fuel in Kazakhstan is one of the most attractive in terms of cost.

According to the expert, for the entire year the growth in transit sales will be 14-18 percent. However, NEFT Research consulting partner Alexander Kotov does not rule out a rise in sales by 28 percent compared to 2025.