Over the first 11 months of 2025, the volume of cargo transported in containers amounted to 217.4 thousand TEU. Compared to the same period in 2024, this represents a decline of 9%. Export shipments accounted for 60% of container traffic, imports for 29%, while domestic transportation made up the remaining 11%, ProAgro Group reports.

According to Valerii Tkachov, Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation Technology and Commercial Operations at Ukrzaliznytsia, grain cargo remains the leading commodity transported in containers, totaling 57,000 TEU. However, its share has decreased to 26%, which is 13 percentage points lower than in the same period of 2024.

Among the main reasons for the decline in containerized grain transport, Tkachov cited the low cost of specialized grain wagons between January and September — around UAH 100–200 per day — which prompted farmers to return to using them. Another factor was the reorientation of grain exports toward Ukraine’s seaports. Currently, 90–94% of grain exports are shipped via maritime routes, with grain delivered to ports mainly in specialized hopper wagons rather than containers.

At the same time, over the last three months (September–November 2025), containerized grain shipments have once again taken the leading position among commodities. In November, shipments of meals and oilcakes exceeded those of ferrous metals in containers: metals ranked third, while meals moved up to second place.

As reported earlier, Ukrzaliznytsia plans to increase freight rail tariffs by 41.5% next year.

Source: RAIL.insider