By the end of January, Ukraine’s agricultural exports continue to show restrained dynamics, while a clear specialization of each transport mode has emerged, reports ProAgro Group.

Road transport remains a channel primarily for products with higher added value. Over the 29 days of January, around 190 thousand tons were exported by road, mostly vegetable oils, meals, and oilseed cakes, which account for up to 90% of road shipments. The share of grain does not exceed 10%, as grain flows are increasingly redirected to rail transport and due to import restrictions in neighboring EU countries. The main destinations remain Poland, Hungary, and Romania. Despite relatively small volumes, road logistics remain critical for fast contracts and niche deliveries.

Rail exports stabilized in January after declining at the end of December. Over the 29 days of the month, approximately 2.2 million tons of grain were transported for export, which is 19% higher month on month, although volumes remain lower year on year. The main load falls on western border crossings, with Hungary remaining the leading direction. Border queues are moderate and wagon accumulation remains stable, indicating a balanced logistics chain, although transit speeds still depend on weather conditions and customs operations.

Sea logistics continue to be the main channel for grain exports. Ports of Greater Odesa increased loading and unloading by the end of the month to more than 1,150 wagons per day, while total grain stocks in ports exceeded 930 thousand tons. Terminals in Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk remain the most active, demonstrating high turnover despite weather risks and ongoing security threats.

On the Danube route, the situation remains stable but secondary. The ports of Izmail and Reni mainly handle occasional shipments of meals and rapeseed.

Overall, by the end of January, export logistics are operating without major disruptions: sea transport forms the core export volumes, rail ensures stability of grain flows, and road transport covers the needs of processing industries and fast deliveries.

Earlier it was reported that due to constant shelling, air raid alerts, transport stoppages, and disruptions in logistics chains, farmers’ logistics costs have increased by an average of 25–35%, depending on the transportation route.

Source: Spike Brokers