Ukraine. Grain transportation by rail breaks records in Q1 2024

In Q1 2024, 9.9 M mt of grain were delivered by rail, which is 18.4% more than in Q1 2023. Moreover, this is a record volume for Q1 in the last 4 years.

Grain transportation to Ukrainian sea ports accounted for 85% of total grain transportation by rail. The activity of rail transportation in Q1 2024 was facilitated by the unrealized export potential of the first half of 2023/24, the opening of an alternative grain corridor in October 2023 resulted in the increase of grain shipments to the ports.

The intensity of grain deliveries by rail to Ukrainian sea ports is gradually decreasing in April. In April 1-10, the number of wagons heading to the Big Odesa ports fell to 7,479, 324 wagons less than at the end of March. russia’s attacks on the infrastructure of the Odesa region negatively affect the operation of seaports and railway stations, a ban on goods transportation to the port of Chornomorsk was imposed. If the rail attacks continue, exporters may be forced to deliver grain to the ports by road.

In Q1, 2.07 M mt of agricultural cargoes were transported to the western border crossings. This is 31-32% less than in q1 2023.

In March 2024, exports by rail were the lowest monthly exports in 2023/24. The average daily transfer of grain cargoes on the western borders in April was 285 wagons per day, decrease by 32 wagons in comparison with March. It seems that the general downward trend in wagon transfers across the land borders continues.