The grain rail transportation market recorded a record increase in rates for grain wagons belonging to JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia”. According to the results of Prozorro.Sale auctions on November 11, the weighted average cost of using a wagon reached 5378 UAH/day without VAT — this is the highest indicator since 2023.
Rate dynamics:
- September 2025 — up to 200 UAH/day;
- October — approximately 2000 UAH/day;
- November — up to 5700 UAH/day.
Over two months, the price increased by more than 25 times. RAIL.insider Director Kostyantyn Gapi cited the disruption of the loading/unloading balance as the reasons for the increase — a daily loading excess of 275 wagons, as well as the accumulation of loaded wagons on the network and a shortage of empty ones. Additionally, the demand for grain wagons rose due to logistics bottlenecks.
The special status of UZ wagons also affects pricing, as JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” guarantees 100% provision of wagons for loading and is responsible for non-fulfillment, which makes its offer more attractive during periods of shortage. Other operators depend on the carrier, so they do not have such guarantees.
