Ukraine’s agricultural exports fall by two-thirds in August as port attacks intensify
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Ukraine exported only about 1.7 million tons of agricultural products through alternative routes in August because of intensified Russian attacks on port infrastructure, a sharp drop that left exports at roughly one-third of their potential level, Agriculture and Food Policy Minister Taras Vysotskyi said on Sept. 3, according to the ministry’s press service.
Vysotskyi stressed that Ukraine still has sufficient food production volumes and a broad enough range of products to supply the domestic market. At present, there are no signs of any long-term shortage of major food items.
“From the point of view of the production volumes available to us and the balance sheets, no long-term deficits are currently foreseen for any type of product,” Vysotskyi said.
“Logistics have become more diversified. In some places, the classic producer-large warehouse-store model remains, but increasingly chains such as producer-small warehouse-store or directly producer-store are being used.”
He added that a similar approach is being used for imported products. Border-crossing logistics continue to function, so no long-term shortage of imported food is expected either.
According to the minister, about 70% to 80% of food products — excluding grains and oilseeds — are consumed within Ukraine. Production of staple vegetables used in traditional borshch, in particular, is aimed mainly at the domestic market, with only a small share exported.
At the same time, Ukraine continues to export a broad range of products, including cereals, frozen foods, sugar, vegetable oil, dairy products, eggs, and some fruits.
Vysotskyi said changes in logistics chains could lead to an overall increase in food prices of about 2.5%. But he noted that the final price of food can also be influenced by other factors, including fuel prices, energy costs, and feed prices.
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