Agricultural producers redirect oil exports to western borders

In April 2026, export rail shipments of vegetable oil and meal decreased compared to March. At the same time, businesses continue redirecting cargoes from seaports to western border crossings due to the risks of attacks on port infrastructure.

This was reported by Elevatorist.

According to Valerii Tkachov, Deputy Director of the Transportation Technology and Commercial Operations Department at JSC Ukrzaliznytsia, speaking during an online meeting with agricultural market participants, Ukrzaliznytsia transported 143.7 thousand tons of vegetable oil for export in April, down 9.6% from March. About 60.5 thousand tons of products (42%) were shipped toward seaports, while 83.2 thousand tons (58%) were transported through western border crossings.

Tkachov explained the shift in logistics by increased risks to port infrastructure caused by Russian attacks on vegetable oil storage facilities.

“You have seen the recent events — the enemy is striking vegetable oil storage facilities in seaports, including Chornomorsk Port, Odesa, and others. These are additional risks, so businesses have redirected flows, and more oil is now being transported to western border crossings,” he said.

According to Tkachov, the reorientation of cargo flows toward western crossings has been ongoing since November–December of last year.

Rail transportation of meal also declined in April. A total of 239.3 thousand tons of meal products were transported by rail, which is 15.2% less compared to March. The majority of meal exports also moved through western border crossings — 200.1 thousand tons (84%) of the total volume, while only 39.1 thousand tons (16%) were shipped toward seaports.

Tags: logistics, railway, vegoil