Ukraine transported only 1.1 million tons of grain for export by rail in May

According to current data, in May 2023, 1 million 141 thousand tons were transported for export by Ukrainian railways. This is almost twice less than in April (2 million 126 thousand tons). This was discussed during a meeting of Ukrzaliznytsia employees and representatives of the agricultural transportation market on June 1.

Also, in May, the load of grain on Ukrzaliznytsia’s networks decreased to 1 million 372 thousand tons. The share of grain decreased to 13% in the total volume of cargo. The average daily load is 44 thousand tons.

At the same time, there is a positive trend: in the last week of May, the average daily load increased to 50-69 thousand tons (before that, its volumes ranged from 30-35 thousand tons). According to Valeriy Tkachev, Deputy Director of the Commercial Department at Ukrzaliznytsia, the improvement is primarily due to the resumption of the grain corridor.

This also had a positive impact on grain unloading in the ports of Greater Odesa. In particular, on May 31, it amounted to 462 railcars per day (181 railcars a week earlier). Last week, there were also days when 650 railcars were unloaded per day. However, it is not yet possible to reach “normal” levels (approximately 1,000 railcars per day) because the aggressor country does not approve the passage of ships to Pivdennyi port.

Tags: rail transportation