In early 2026, trade relations between China and CIS countries showed stable growth in the fresh produce segment. According to the General Administration of Customs of the PRC, exports of fruit and vegetables from China through the Khorgos border checkpoint increased by 29.3 percent year‑on‑year in January–February 2026, reaching 137 thousand tons. This sharp increase is driven by the synergy of two factors: the traditional spring peak in demand for imported vegetables in CIS countries amid the depletion of their own open‑field stocks, and large‑scale logistics optimization at the border.

The main flow of refrigerated trucks is directed to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia. The key infrastructure driver was the fact that, since late 2023, the Chinese side has operated the Khorgos checkpoint on a 24/7 basis, while in 2024–2025 Kazakhstan and China agreed to extend the round‑the‑clock regime at the Nur Zholy–Khorgos crossing points until 30 June 2026 and to gradually increase throughput capacity to 1,000 trucks per day. Whereas in previous years seasonal peaks led to multi‑day queues and idle time for trucks at the border, today seamless processing allows this peak flow to be handled without bottlenecks: fresh Chinese produce typically reaches neighboring markets within 12–24 hours, without loss of quality.

Retailchina.pro Expert Comment: The dynamics of cross‑border trade via Khorgos confirm China’s logistics dominance in supplying CIS countries with fruit and vegetable products during the shoulder season. Cutting transit times to within a single day and eliminating border queues enable Chinese exporters to serve seasonal demand as efficiently as possible, delivering premium‑quality produce to retailers with minimal shrinkage and write‑off costs. For retail chains in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia, this creates an opportunity to maintain a broad assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables in the “low” season without sharp price spikes on the shelf.