Alternative routes: Ukraine exported 630 thousand tons of agricultural products in September

This is about 40% of the volumes that could be exported if logistics and ports were fully operational. In August, this figure was 33%.

This was reported by the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Vysotskyi during a conversation with journalists.

According to him, the main task of the ministry is now to expand alternative routes, support agricultural producers with financing and temporary storage of the crop, and work to restore full-fledged exports through seaports.

Of the total export volume in September, grains accounted for 380 thousand tons – 35% of the required volume. 94 thousand tons (60%) of oilseeds were exported, 97 thousand tons (66%) of oilseeds, and 60 thousand tons of meal, or about a third of the need.

“In September, alternative logistics works better than in August, but we still export only about 40% of the volume that could be provided if logistics were fully operational,” Taras Vysotskyi noted.

In particular, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, together with international partners, is implementing tools that help agricultural producers preserve the harvest and provide the necessary liquidity in difficult logistics conditions.

The State Agrarian Register continues to accept applications from agricultural producers from frontline regions for free receipt of polymer sleeves for temporary grain storage. More than $12 million has already been attracted to this area.

In addition, after updating the regulations of the National Bank of Ukraine, the possibilities of lending against grain collateral have expanded. The liquidity ratio for this type of collateral has been increased from 0.4 to 0.75.

The possibilities of the state program “5-7-9%” have also been expanded. Agricultural enterprises can attract up to UAH 90 million in revolving financing at 10% per annum. The government has also allocated over UAH 20 billion in state portfolio guarantees, in particular for lending to the agricultural sector.

At the same time, the pace of lending to the agricultural sector is currently increasing. The average increase is about UAH 3.5 billion per week. If this dynamics is maintained, this could provide about UAH 15 billion in additional financing per month and up to UAH 60 billion by the end of the year.

According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, agricultural producers need to attract up to UAH 80 billion to conduct the autumn sowing campaign.

Read also: Due to restrictions on exports through ports, the agricultural sector will need up to €4 billion, — Ministry of Agrarian Policy.