Russian Railways Feb. cargo volumes 3.2 y/y to 84.2M tons

Russian Railways Feb. cargo volumes 3.2 y/y to 84.2M tons

Russian Railways Reports Persistent Decline in Freight Volumes Amid Broader Economic Pressures

In 2025, Russian Railways, the state-owned railway operator, continued to experience a significant contraction in freight volumes, with declines recorded across 13 of 15 cargo categories. The annual report highlights a 16-year low in rail freight transport, with shipments of key commodities such as grain, construction materials, and industrial raw materials falling sharply. Grain shipments dropped by over 12%, construction materials by more than 10%, and timber by nearly 6%. The most severe declines were observed in industrial raw materials (-16%) and ferrous metals (-17.7%).

The sustained downturn reflects broader challenges facing Russia’s transportation infrastructure and economic activity. The operator has not seen such low freight volumes since 2009, underscoring a prolonged period of underperformance. Analysts attribute the declines to a combination of reduced industrial output, shifting trade dynamics, and logistical constraints. The data aligns with earlier reports indicating structural weaknesses in Russia’s rail network, which remains critical to the country’s cargo movement.

For investors, the trends highlight vulnerabilities in a sector traditionally viewed as a backbone of Russia’s economy. While Russian Railways has not disclosed specific monthly figures for February 2026, the annual data suggest continued pressure on cargo volumes. The operator’s ability to reverse this trajectory will depend on addressing operational inefficiencies and adapting to evolving market demands.

(https://www.facebook.com/UATVEN/posts/russias-rail-freight-transport-falls-to-16-year-low-center-for-countering-disinf/1511060867691734/): Russia’s rail freight transport falls to 16-year low, Center for Countering Disinformation (Facebook post, 2025).

This article is based on publicly available data and does not constitute financial advice. Figures and analysis are derived from the referenced sources.