Almost 90% of Ukraine’s vegetable oil rail exports are routed through western border crossings

Ukraine has redirected most of its vegetable oil rail exports toward western border crossings. In the first 11 days of August, 41.5 thsd tons of vegetable oil were transported by rail for export, with 89% moving through western border crossings and only 11% heading toward ports.

Compared with July, vegetable oil rail export volumes were almost unchanged, rising by just 0.9%. However, shipments were down 48.2% year-on-year, indicating a significant decline in export flows compared with the same period last year.

Western routes also dominate rail exports of oilseed processing products. In the first 11 days of August, 70.7 thsd tons of oilseed cake and meal were transported for export, with 63% moving toward western border crossings and 37% toward ports.

Rail shipments of oilseed cake and meal showed stronger dynamics than vegetable oil. Exports increased by 15.9% compared with July, although they remained 7.4% below the level recorded in the same period last year.

Western border crossings have therefore effectively become the main rail export channel for Ukrainian vegetable oil and a significant share of oilseed processing products, while the share of ports in vegetable oil rail shipments has fallen to just 11%.