The blockade of Odessa's ports has opened the way for Poland to transport the harvest

The blockade of Black Sea ports has presented Ukrainian farmers with a new logistical challenge in the midst of the harvest. Experts warn that western routes are not capable of fully replacing maritime exports, so efforts to expand them must begin immediately.

This was reported by AgroPortal.

It is expected that in August, Ukraine will be able to export about 1.5 million metric tons of agricultural products via alternative maritime routes. This is only about 30% of the total demand, which stands at approximately 5 million metric tons per month, or 60 million metric tons per year, including grains, oilseeds, and processed products.

Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky noted that even under ideal conditions, overland routes can handle up to 2.5 million metric tons of cargo per month—only half of the required volume.

Poland remains one of the main transit routes. Ukraine plans to increase transit through the Polish border from the current 250,000–300,000 metric tons to 600,000 metric tons per month. To achieve this, it is necessary to increase the number of trains at border crossings and ensure that inspectors work around the clock.

According to Ukrzaliznytsia, only 525,000 metric tons of grain crossed the Ukrainian-Polish border over the course of seven months. At the same time, in 2022–2023, peak volumes reached 500,000 metric tons per month, meaning the potential capacity of the Polish route is estimated at approximately 425,000 metric tons per month.

However, this route is significantly more expensive than delivery to the ports of Greater Odesa. The cost of alternative logistics is about 90–110 euros per metric ton, compared to approximately 25–30 dollars per metric ton to Black Sea ports.

Other challenges include the limited capacity of Polish ports, a shortage of specialized railcars, and the throughput capacity of border crossings. At the same time, Poland has the capacity to increase transit, particularly via the restored Przemysl–Khyriv standard-gauge railway, which has the potential to handle up to 3.6 million metric tons of cargo per year.

Ukraine is also ready to support Turkey’s initiative for a mutual moratorium on attacks on civilian vessels, commercial ports, and energy infrastructure in the Black Sea.

Анна Літман