Ukraine increased grain exports by rail by 20.4% to 807,000 tons in May this year, compared with April. This is the export limit for rail logistics from Ukraine.
This was announced by the head of the Ukrainian Railways joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia), Oleksandr Kamyshin, the CFTS portal reports, citing the Interfax Ukraine news agency.
According to him, 800,000 tons of grain per month is the limit for rail logistics from Ukraine, and it can be increased significantly only with the active assistance of neighboring countries.
“To be able to export an additional 300,000-400,000 tons, we have to think in terms of ‘through’ infrastructure. We are negotiating with the Poles to allow the operation of grain trucks on their territory. Next, we will need to launch our own operator there and simultaneously extend narrow-gauge railway tracks into our territory wherever possible," Kamyshin said.
Kamyshin noted that Ukraine exported 5-7 million tons of grain per month before the Russian invasion, half of which Ukrzaliznytsia transported to Ukrainian seaports. In particular, Ukrzaliznytsia transported a record 4.1 million tons of grain in November 2021.
"We now need increased transshipment in European ports and additional railcars for delivering Ukrainian grain from the Polish border. About 20 million tons of crops from the previous harvest are stored in Ukraine's warehouses. Therefore, we have to export 5 million tons per month via all modes of transport. We are practically exporting about 1.2 million tons. It is possible to reach 2 million tons of grain by working efficiently. This is the maximum volume without significant development of the infrastructure," Kamyshin said.
