Agricultural sector losses due to halt in sea exports could reach $3 billion

The suspension of ship calls to the ports of Great Odesa could cause direct losses to the Ukrainian agricultural sector of $1.5 billion to $3 billion this year.

This was reported by Reuters, citing the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Taras Vysotskyi.

According to him, the export of more than 30 million tons of grain and oilseed crops was threatened due to Russian attacks on civilian ships and port infrastructure. This is about half of this year’s forecasted harvest.

In July, Ukraine recorded 35 attacks on ships in ports, 22 attacks on ships at sea and 67 attacks on port infrastructure. For comparison, 14 attacks on ships were recorded throughout 2025.

Due to the worsening security situation, shipowners suspended calls to the ports of Greater Odessa. No ship has called them for almost two weeks, while the active harvest phase continues in Ukraine.

According to Vysotskyi, purchase prices for grain and oilseeds have already decreased by an average of 30%. Direct losses to the Ukrainian agricultural sector this year could range from $1.5 billion to $3 billion.

The main alternative routes remain rail and road transportation and the Danube. The priority route is the railway, while the Danube’s capabilities are limited by drought and historically low water levels.

Even after stabilization, alternative routes will be able to provide only 50–55% of the monthly throughput capacity of the Black Sea ports, which is about 6 million tons. Additional costs for producers will reach $45–50 per ton.

“There is no alternative to the ports of Odesa if Ukraine is to continue to play the role of a food security guarantor,” Vysotsky said.

Even in the event of an immediate resumption of ship calls, Ukraine will need at least a month to return to its previous export pace.

USM previously reported that the rate of grain exports from Ukraine had dropped threefold due to problems with maritime logistics.