Russia forced to turn to grain storage bags, following Ukraine’s earlier experience

Amid difficulties with grain shipments and a shortage of elevator capacity, Russia is considering the widespread use of polyethylene grain storage bags. In effect, Russia is facing the need to adopt a solution that Ukraine was previously forced to use due to the blockade of its maritime exports and the accumulation of grain within the country. Russian farmers are now also looking for alternative storage options while waiting for opportunities to sell and ship their grain.

According to TASS, citing Sergey Pavlov, Associate Professor at Novgorod State University, Russia is facing an increasingly severe shortage of grain storage facilities. Industry experts estimate that the country loses 10–12 mln tons of grain annually due to insufficient and deteriorating storage infrastructure. The accumulation of harvested grain is further complicating the situation, while building new elevators requires substantial investment and time.

In Ukraine, polyethylene grain storage bags became particularly important after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, when the blockade of Black Sea ports severely restricted grain exports. With elevators reaching capacity, Ukrainian farmers were forced to use temporary storage facilities to preserve their harvests until logistics could be restored. Russia is now being encouraged to adopt a similar approach.

Russian researchers have studied Argentina’s experience, where 40–50 mln tons of grain are stored annually in polyethylene bags. According to their findings, grain can be stored under appropriate conditions for up to 18 months without losing quality. Each bag can hold approximately 200–250 tons of grain, allowing farmers to expand storage capacity without constructing permanent elevators.

However, switching to alternative storage methods does not solve the underlying problems of grain marketing and logistics. Polyethylene bags only allow farmers to delay sales, but do not provide transportation to buyers. As a result, Russia’s grain sector is increasingly facing the need to adapt to restrictions that previously forced Ukrainian producers to seek unconventional solutions for preserving their harvests.

Tags: Russia, wheat, grain storage