Russian rail exports to China have grown by 27,5 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter. In total, Russia exported 9,4 million tonnes of freight during this period. The growth reflects an ongoing trend of growing rail freight volumes between the two countries.
As a result of Western sanctions, it is geopolitically important for Russia to find alternative trade markets.The country has been investing heavily in its railway infrastructure in the Far East region to facilitate a reorientation of its trade towards China,
Russian Railways now reports that its first yearly quarter exports through Chinese rail border crossings have grown by 27,5 per cent year-on-year. The numbers indicate that Russia’s efforts to reorient its exports are yielding tangible results. Illustratively, the first ten months of 2023 saw a growth of 22 per cent in rail freight between the two countries when compared to the same period in 2022. The growth in freight volumes is a trend, and not an exception.
The bulk of its exports consist of raw materials, such as coal, iron ore and timber.
Border crossings
Three out of four rail border crossings registered growth. Particularly the Nizhneleninskoye – Tongjiang border crossing saw a large growth in export volumes. In the first quarter, 1,3 million tonnes of Russian freight crossed the border river at that location, which is a growth of 250 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year. Such growth can be explained by the fact that the crossing only opened in November 2022, but it takes a large share of all rail exports to China.
Moreover, Russian Railways transported more freight through the Kamyshovaya – Hunchun and the Zabaykalsk – Manchuria border crossings. Volumes at those crossings increased by 160 per cent and 19,7 per cent respectively.
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