Russian attacks on port infrastructure in the Odesa region could cost Ukraine's agricultural sector between $1.5 billion and $3 billion if maritime exports are significantly restricted.
Agriculture and Food Minister Taras Vysotskyi said this during a meeting with Spanish Ambassador to Ukraine Ricardo Lopez-Aranda Jagu, Ukrinform reports, citing the ministry.
According to the minister, maritime routes remain critically important for Ukraine's agricultural exports, as around 90% of grain and oilseed crops are shipped through Black Sea ports. At the same time, alternative routes, including rail, road and Danube transport, could provide no more than 50% of the required export volumes even under the most favorable conditions.
"No alternative route can fully replace seaports. Even under the most optimistic scenario, alternative logistics could handle only up to half of the required export volumes and would cost farmers an additional EUR 50-70 per tonne of produce. Losses for Ukraine's agricultural sector could reach $1.5 billion to $3 billion," Vysotskyi said.
The parties also paid particular attention to risks to the harvesting campaign and the storage of the new crop. The Agriculture Ministry forecasts that the grain storage capacity shortfall could reach 11 million tonnes as early as this autumn. To minimize the risks, work is underway to provide farmers with temporary storage solutions, including grain bags. The ministry is also developing affordable lending mechanisms.
