Ukraine sets record in grain export since outbreak of war
In February of this year, Ukraine exported a record amount of grain since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The increase of export became possible due to the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Black Sea.
In February, Ukraine exported 5.4 million tonnes of grain, which is 30 per cent more than in February of last year. This is also the highest monthly grain export result since the outbreak of the war with Russia. The export of agricultural goods from Ukraine became possible owing to the efforts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which managed to move the Russian Navy away from the port of Odesa and the maritime transport corridor.
Last July, Russia withdrew from the international grain agreement and tried to attack Ukrainian port infrastructure. However, Russian ships were unable to face the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which attacked the occupier’s units by using drones. As a result, the Russian Navy had to withdraw from the western part of the Black Sea, the port of Odesa and the grain corridor were unblocked, which is considered one of Ukraine’s greatest successes in this conflict.
Transhipment in ports is increasing
Over the last 7.5 months, over 1,000 ships have called at Odesa, and the capacity of the grain corridor is currently greater than when the agreement with Russia was in force. Before the outbreak of the war, Ukraine exported 6 million tonnes of grain per month, so the result from February of this year has already approached this level. The crop is moved from the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi towards the Danube or through the territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria, which are protected by NATO. It is estimated that Ukraine will produce 50 million tonnes of grain in 2024.
Ukraine is also improving its land connections with the European Union. In early March, the construction of a transhipment terminal began in the town of Hlyboka on the border with Romania, which will accept trains with a gauge of 1,435 and 1,520 millimetres. This terminal will be able to reload 1,000 tonnes of cargo per hour, which means the possibility of loading 16 European-gauge wagons carrying 50 tonnes of cargo. The terminal will also handle intermodal transhipments between trains and trucks.