China’s national railway freight sector maintained steady growth in the first 11 months of 2025, with the volume of cargo transported rising 2.7 per cent compared with the same period last year, official figures released by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. show.
According to the state railway operator, a total of about 3.7 billion tonnes of goods were moved across China’s extensive rail network from January through November, helping to ease logistics costs and support the broader economy.
The daily average number of loaded freight cars reached roughly 187,000, reflecting a 3.7 per cent increase year on year, indicating sustained demand for rail freight services amid evolving supply‑chain dynamics.
The growth was broad‑based, with key commodities such as metallurgical materials and grains posting significant gains. Metallurgical freight was up by more than 8 per cent, while grain shipments increased by around 10 per cent over the same period last year, highlighting the role of railways in transporting vital industrial and agricultural goods.
International rail freight also continued to expand. In November alone, a record 1,852 China–Europe freight train trips were operated — a 21 per cent year‑on‑year increase — underscoring the resilience of overland trade corridors linking China with European markets. Cross‑border freight on the China‑Laos Railway also rose sharply, with nearly 5 million tonnes transported during the period, up about 15 per cent year‑on‑year.
Analysts say the performance reflects ongoing efforts to optimize logistics, expand international rail links, and enhance service offerings, positioning rail freight as a key pillar of China’s transportation infrastructure as it navigates global trade challenges and domestic economic transitions.