Road transport remains the key component of Tajikistan's freight turnover, accounting for 94.6% of all cargo shipments. This data was published by the Statistics Agency under the President of Tajikistan, reports Avesta.tj.
According to the agency, in the first six months of 2025, a total of 66.7 million tons of cargo were transported by all modes of transport—9.3% more than in the same period of 2024. Of this volume, 63 million tons were delivered by road transport - state, departmental, and private. Rail transport carried 3.6 million tons of freight during the same period, exceeding the January–June 2024 figure by 12.4%.
The country's economic indicators show steady growth: GDP in January–June reached 70.8 billion somoni (approximately $7.5 billion), with inflation at 1.8%. Foreign trade turnover exceeded 33 billion somoni (around $3.5 billion), while trade with CIS countries reached $2.1 billion, growing 4.6% year-on-year.
The high share of road transport is explained by Tajikistan’s geographical location - it is landlocked and located in a mountainous, hard-to-reach region. International road freight plays a crucial role in exporting cotton, fruits, vegetables, textiles, and mineral resources, as well as in importing technology and consumer goods.
Mahfirat Negmatulloeva, coordinator of the land and multimodal transportation department at Dunyo Cargo, emphasized that road freight is an "integral part of the supply chain connecting producers and consumers."
A comparison with other Central Asian countries reveals differences in freight transport structure:
- Kyrgyzstan, like Tajikistan, is heavily dependent on road transport due to its mountainous terrain and lack of sea access. Road transport accounts for over 90% of freight, as the country's rail network is limited.
- Uzbekistan has a more balanced system: around 60–65% of cargo is transported by road and 30–35% by rail, reflecting ongoing investments in both transport sectors.
- Kazakhstan, with its vast territory and developed rail infrastructure, primarily relies on railways, which handle over 60% of freight. Road transport accounts for about 30–35%.
- Turkmenistan uses road transport for 70–75% of freight, while rail transport plays a significant role in energy exports, including gas and oil.
Globally, according to experts, maritime transport remains the leader in volume, accounting for over 60% of world freight traffic. However, road transport is known as the "king of the last mile"—it is indispensable for delivering goods over short and medium distances, including the final stage of logistics.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 19, 2025