Changes in the logistics of the export of Ukrainian grain

Abstract

The Ukrainian economy is largely dependent on international trade. In 2018, exports of goods and services accounted for 40.7% of the country's GDP, and imports, respectively, for 41.9% of GDP (Minfin, 2021). These indicators are much higher than the world average. Ukraine, being one of the key players in the global agricultural market, provides export deliveries of significant volumes of food. For example, the average annual total export for the last pre-war 3 seasons of only four key commodities – corn, wheat, sunflower oil and sunflower meal – is estimated at 58.1 million tons, which is more than 14% of the total world export of these goods. Moreover, for corn and wheat, the average annual share of Ukrainian exports in total world trade is estimated at 15% and 10%, respectively (in 2022). Over the past few years, Ukraine has been demonstrating a consistently high increase in the volume of gross grain harvest and is strengthening its importance both in the Black Sea region and in the global market. At the same time, seaports of Ukraine are an extremely important transport road for Ukraine to world markets. More than 60% of Ukrainian exports took place through seaports. Ukrainian seaports were able to handle 250 million tons of cargo annually.