Ukraine’s flour exports fall 41% amid maritime logistics disruptions

Ukraine exported 8.6 thsd tons of wheat flour in July–September of the MY 2026/27, down 41.1% compared with the same period of the previous season. According to the Union of Ukrainian Millers, the decline was primarily driven by disruptions to maritime logistics and a shortage of shipping containers. Export revenue fell by 45.3% over the three-month period, from $5.3 mln to $2.9 mln.

Due to restrictions on maritime transportation, Ukrainian producers have been forced to redirect exports through more expensive alternative routes via Romania and railway border crossings. During the first three months of the season, approximately 70% of flour exports were transported by road, 21% by rail and another 9% via the Danube or ferry services. Seaborne container shipments have fallen to almost zero, with only around 10 containers shipped over the past month.

The geographical structure of Ukrainian flour exports has also changed. In July–September 2026, EU countries accounted for 33.2% of shipments, including deliveries to the Czech Republic, Sweden, Latvia, Germany and Lithuania. Other European countries represented 53.4% of total exports, with Moldova emerging as the largest buyer, accounting for 50% of overall shipments. Meanwhile, the share of the Middle East and North Africa declined to 13%, compared with 27% for seaborne deliveries to Palestine and Israel during the previous season.

In the previous marketing year, Ukraine exported more than 60 thsd tons of wheat flour, with approximately 37% shipped to the European Union and another 35% to other European countries. Amid ongoing logistics challenges, Ukrainian producers are increasingly focusing on exports of packaged flour under private labels for European retail chains, including Carrefour and Lidl. The price difference between flour sold in bulk bags and smaller 1–2 kg packages is approximately $50–60 per ton, making retail packaging an attractive option for exporters.

Future export prospects will largely depend on the restoration of stable maritime logistics and the availability of container shipping services. According to industry representatives, financial losses for Ukrainian flour millers could reach tens of millions of dollars by the end of the 2026/27 marketing year due to declining shipment volumes and lower export prices. The high cost of alternative transportation routes continues to undermine the competitiveness of Ukrainian flour in distant markets.

Tags: Ukraine, export