Farmers call on the government to stop raising Ukrzaliznytsia tariffs

According to representatives of agribusiness, the increase in freight tariffs may hit exports and the economy.

The All-Ukrainian Agrarian Forum (AAF) has appealed to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko with a demand to stop the planned increase in UZ freight tariffs in 2026. LB writes about this.

As a reminder, the government plans to increase tariffs by 27% from January 1, and by another 11% from July. According to agrarians, this decision is economically unjustified and may lead to a deepening of the logistics crisis, an increase in the cost of exports and a decrease in the competitiveness of Ukrainian producers in world markets.

“The increase in tariffs will continue the practice when a state-owned company is forced to subsidize certain oligarchic industries at the expense of other enterprises and taxpayers,” the AAF said in its appeal.

Agricultural associations recall that the previous tariff increase in 2022 has already caused a massive outflow of cargo from the railway to road transport – the share of road transport has increased to 50%, and is currently maintained at 34–39%, which is 10–15% more than before the increase.

In addition, the appeal emphasizes that passenger transportation by Ukrzaliznytsia creates an annual deficit of more than UAH 18 billion, which the company is trying to cover at the expense of freight customers. The VAF proposes to switch to the European PSO model, where the state compensates for losses from socially important passenger transportation.

Among the demands of the farmers:

• suspend the increase in tariffs in 2026;

• create a transparent tariff formation mechanism with the involvement of market representatives;

• approve a roadmap for tariff reform;

• introduce clear rules for forming the market price for the use of wagons through auctions;

• bring tariffs for first-class cargo to the cost price level.

Farmers warn that if Ukrzaliznytsia’s decision is implemented, export logistics may be under threat, especially in conditions when the main cargo flows are directed to the ports of the Odessa region and the Danube.

USM also previously reported that the government has instructed to inspect Ukrzaliznytsia and other state-owned companies against the backdrop of the NABU investigation.