Ukraine Grain 

Transportation

Published June 2023

Executive Summary

The USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service’s 2023 Ukraine Grain Transportation report includes new 2022 

data and covers important developments from 2021 to 2022. The Black Sea region (Kazakhstan, Russia, and 

Ukraine) is a strong player in the global wheat and corn markets. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 

the Black Sea wheat successfully competed in the global market based on lower prices, favorable exchange 

rates, and the region’s advantageous location. Ports on the Black Sea can easily access the rapidly growing 

markets in the Middle East and North Africa, where wheat and feed demand has grown. The U.S. share of the 

global wheat market has declined, as the European Union’s (EU) and Russia’s shares have risen. In the corn 

market, the United States is still the leading exporter, but faces strong competition from Brazil, Argentina, and 

Ukraine—despite logistical challenges posed by the war.

Published annually since 2020, the Ukraine Grain Transportation report evaluates grain transportation costs 

as an indicator for the entire Black Sea Region. The report analyzes the major changes and events influencing 

the total costs of shipping grain from Ukraine to major export markets. These costs also affect the overall 

competitiveness of the United States in serving global grain markets. 

From 2021 to 2022, following the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began on February 

24, 2022, Ukraine’s transportation costs more than doubled. Also, from 2021 to 2022, the share of Ukrainian 

grain exports shipped via the Black Sea ports fell from 96 percent to 69 percent. Similarly, rail’s share of grain 

movements destined to ports for export fell from 60 percent to 40 percent. According to Wilson et al., prior to 

the war, Ukrainian transportation costs were among the lowest in the world for exporting grain, but became 

among the highest after the conflict began.

Overview of Ukrainian Grain Transportation in 20221

Ukraine’s wheat exports fell sharply, because of logistical issues spawned by Russia’s war on Ukraine: wheat 

exports were down 44 percent, from 20 million metric tons (mmt) in 2021 to 11.2 mmt in 2022. Corn exports 

increased 2 percent, from 24.7 mmt in 2021 to 25.2 mmt in 2022 (State Customs of the Ukraine).2 The rise in 

corn exports is partly explained by the fact that Ukrainian shippers exported not only the 2021 corn harvest (as 

is typically done), but also the current year’s (2022) crop. Because of war-related shortages of cash and storage 

capacity, growers had to export the current crop, despite high logistic costs and low prices to Ukraine farmers. 

The cost of shipping a metric ton (mt) of grain 100 miles by truck increased 38 percent, from $13.23 per mt 

1 Andrii Shkliar (andrii.shkliar@cfts.org.ua) and Andrey Isayev (andrey.isayev@cfts.org.ua) gathered all of the Ukraine data in this report and 

ensured its accuracy.

2 Ukrainian grain, especially corn, is usually harvested in the fall and exported in the spring and summer of the new calendar year, depending 

on market price and port capacity. Farmers in Ukraine produced 42 mmt in marketing year (MY) 2021/22 (24 percent above the 3-year average) 

and an estimated 27 mmt in MY 2022/23. This is USDA latest forecast as of June 2023. Thus, 2022 corn export volumes reflected, in part, 2021’s 

high harvested volumes. These high volumes also contributed to high fourth quarter 2021 truck rates. The corn marketing year is from OctoberSeptember, and the wheat marketing year is from July-June.
2

Ukraine Grain Transportation

in 2021 to $18.21 per mt in 2022 (fig. 1a) (Zernovoz). Truck rates rose because of higher demand for trucks to 

ship across Ukraine’s western border and because of higher operating costs, such as fuel and spare parts.

From 2021 to 2022, rail rates rose largely because of a shortage of grain hoppers, as well as significant 

increases in rental fees for grain hoppers in the second half of 2022. The grain hopper rental fees rose from 

$74.07 per day in June 2022 to $117.59 per day in December 2022 (Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS)).3

Ukrainian grain and oilseed inland transportation saw major shifts in 2022, in terms of modal share.4 From 

2021 to 2022, rail and barge shipments through Ukraine’s seaports were down significantly, while truck 

seaport exports rose. Trucking’s share of the seaport-export market rose from 31 percent to 60 percent, while 

rail’s share declined from 60 percent to 40 percent (table 1a) and barge’s share fell to zero. In January and 

February 2022, there were no export shipments by barge because the Dnipro River was closed due to winter 

conditions. Then, from March through December, barge shipments were suspended for security reasons 

related to Russia’s invasion (table 1a) (Ukrainian Railways, Ukrainian Sea Ports Authorities, and CFTS).

3 Rental hopper prices (cited here and in the next paragraph) do not include the value-added tax.

4 Grain refers to corn and wheat.

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, Zernovoz Kyiv, Ukraine; and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Figure 1a. Ukrainian wheat, corn, and soybeans export truck cost index, 2021-22

0

5

10

15

20

25

1st quarter 2nd quarter 3rd quarter 4th quarter

U.S.$/metric ton/100miles

2021

2022

Average 2021: $13.23 Average 2022: $18.21
3

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Table 1a. Tonnages and modal shares for Ukrainian grain and oilseed exports through Ukrainian 

seaports, 2018-22

Year & Type of 

Movement

Rail Barge* Truck

1,000 Tons Percent 1,000 Tons Percent 1,000 Tons Percent

2018 30,083 76% 3,700 9% 5,850 15%

2019 36,707 69% 5,650 11% 10,667 20%

2020 29,406 64% 4,030 9% 12,694 28%

2021 28,495 60% 4,300 9% 14,500 31%

2022 10,155 40% - - 15,033 60%

*From January-February 2022, navigation on the Dnipro River was closed because of winter conditions. From March to December 2022, 

navigation was also closed for security reasons related to the Russian invasion. From 2018 to 2019, barge volumes include those for the 

Southern Bug River, and 2020-21 volumes include those for the Dnipro and Southern Bug Rivers. 

Source: Ukrainian Railways, Ukrainian Sea Ports Authorities, and Centre for Transport Strategies.

The maritime share of total grain and oilseed exports declined from more than 96 percent in 2021 to about 69 

percent in 2022. From March 2022 to July 2022, Russia blocked all of Ukraine’s deep-sea ports, and Ukraine’s 

exports decreased dramatically. Ukrainian exporters were forced to develop alternative export routes that 

were not as efficient or cost effective as the traditional seaborn routes through the ports of the Odesa and 

Mykolaiv regions (fig. 1b). Partially, the problem was solved by reorienting export flows by rail through western 

border crossing points and through the ports located on the Danube River: Izmail (Ukraine), Reni (Ukraine) and 

Constanza (Romania) (fig. 1b).5 However, the throughput capacity of these routes allowed for only a fraction 

of the exports seeking trade routes.6 Despite that decline (through the three Black Sea and Danube ports), 

maritime transport remains the lowest-cost mode of transportation. Railway transport suffered from limited 

throughput capacity via western Ukrainian border crossings.7 According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and 

Food of Ukraine—of Ukraine’s total grain and oilseed exports through the European Union (EU), rail’s share 

was 24 percent, and truck’s share was 7 percent. A small amount of agricultural exports were shipped by ferry.

5 Grain is transported to the Izmail and Reni ports by rail and trucks. Part of it then is exported by small coaster vessels directly to the ports 

of destination, while another part is loaded into barges and transported to the Constanza port to be reloaded into seagoing vessels. Coaster 

vessels suitable for navigation on the Lower Danube carry loads of up to 5,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt) (Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS)). 

Deadweight (dwt) is a unit of measure for ship-carrying capacity. It is calculated as the sum of the weights of cargo, fuel, fresh water, ballast 

water, provisions, passengers, and crew.

6 Last year, the European Union (EU)-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes plan exempted Ukrainian crops from tariffs to facilitate grain exports by land. On 

April 28, 2023, the EU agreed to exempt Ukrainian crops from tariffs for another year. However, under the new agreement some Ukrainian crops 

will move through Poland, Hungary, Slovakia Bulgaria, and Romania but will not be sold in these countries. The EU will also provide $110 million 

in compensation to these countries’ farmers, according to press reports (Wall Street Journal).

7 The gauge, or gap, between tracks on Ukrainian railway lines is wider than that of its European neighbors—a discrepancy that makes border 

crossings laborious and time consuming: either cargo must be fully unloaded and reloaded on to a new train, or else each wagon must be 

transferred on to a different set of wheels (Ukraine Grain Transportation 2021).
4

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Top map: Note: War zones are approximate, as of March 7, 2023. Estimates based on ± 15 km buffer from conflict zones. 

Sources: The sources used to build the map: MinAg Ukraine, Institute for the Study of War, Elevatorist.com, Environmental Systems 

Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI), North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS), and Lloyd’s List. USDA/Agricultural 

Marketing Service (AMS) and USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) constructed the map.

Bottom map: Source: Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.

Figure 1b. Key alternative routes and ports used for export of Ukrainian grain (as of April 2023)
5

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Because of the impacts of the war, ocean freight rates rose from Odesa to Alexandria, Egypt; Ciwandan/

Cigading, Indonesia; and the Southern ports, China. The region’s maritime trade suffered not just in terms of 

volumes, but also in the quality of assets operating in the area: unwilling to face the risks of war, large, modern 

ships departed, leaving only small and old ships to transport grain (S&P Global Commodity Insights, Lloyd’s 

List, and Wilson 2023). The average vessel size declined 13 percent to just over 52,000 dwt in 2022—such that 

small cargos were loaded into increasingly smaller, coaster vessels (S&P Global Commodity Insights). Lloyds 

of London listed the Black Sea and Sea of Azov waters as an area of “Hull War, Piracy, Terrorism and Related 

Perils.” The insurer noted that even ships entering areas that were not close to Ukraine required an additional 

insurance policy for war risk. The cost of hiring ships to transport commodities from the Black Sea has risen, 

partly reflecting the higher, war-risk insurance rates (Reuters).8

From late February to late June 2022, no shipments left the three key ports of Chornomorsk, Odesa, and 

Pivdennyi, until the Black Sea Grain Initiative opened the trade corridor at the end of July.9 In 2021, these three 

ports had exported 29.9 mmt of grain, accounting for 63 percent of Ukraine total grain exports (47.3 mmt) 

(Ukraine Grain Transportation 2021). Under the Black Sea Grain Initiative (August-December), these three 

key ports exported 14.4 mmt of grain and oilseeds to 42 countries of Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. Ukraine 

exported 1.6 mmt of corn to China, accounting for 22 percent of Ukraine’s total corn exports under the Grain 

Initiative (7.3 mmt). The next highest shares of Ukraine’s corn exports (in declining order) went to Spain, Italy, 

Turkey, Netherlands, and Egypt. Spain, which faced a drought in 2022, accounted for 24 percent (1.1 mmt) 

of Ukraine’s total wheat exports (4.6 mmt). The next highest shares of Ukraine’s wheat exports (in declining 

order) went to Turkey, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Italy, and Egypt (Joint Coordination Centre for the Black Sea 

Grain Initiative). 

From 2021 to 2022, transport costs increased, and farm prices declined, lowering landed costs for Ukrainian 

wheat and corn from Odesa to Alexandria, Egypt; Ciwandan/Cigading, Indonesia; and Shanghai, China.10 As a 

share of total landed costs, the transportation costs rose 79 to 131 percent for the route from Central Ukraine 

through the ports of Odesa (tables 2a and 2b). The drop in farm prices indicates that—to remain competitive 

in the world market—farmers absorbed the cost increase of delivering Ukrainian grain. Average wheat farm 

prices in Ukraine fell 31 percent from $273.08 per mt in 2021 to $188.24 per mt in 2022 (table 2a). Over the 

same period, average corn farm prices fell 36 percent from $270.12 per mt to $171.53 per mt (table 2b). 

For more information, contact Delmy L. Salin at delmy.salin@usda.gov.

8 War-risk insurance is a type of insurance that protects against losses resulting from war or other acts of violence. The coverage of this 

additional risk is offered separately from standard insurance policies (Investopedia).

9 The Black Sea Grain Initiative is two separate agreements between Turkey and the United Nations with Ukraine and Russia individually to 

establish a humanitarian maritime corridor for the safe passage of ships from Ukraine. The initiative specifically allows for significant volumes of 

commercial food exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea—Odesa, Chernomorsk and Pivdennyi (previously name Yuzhny) (United 

Nation). Pivdennyi is a commercial seaport in the Ukrainian city of Yuzhne near Odesa, on the Black Sea coast.

10 Landed costs = total transportation costs + farm price.
6

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Table 2a. Average costs of transporting Ukrainian wheat from the Black Sea ports to 

Egypt and Indonesia, 2021-22

To Alexandria, Egypt

From Central Ukraine1 - Odesa2 From Central Ukraine1 - Mykolaiv2

—US$/mt— % Change —US$/mt— % Change

2021 2022 2021-22 2021 2022 2021-22

Truck 7.09 8.80 24.1 7.09 8.80 24.1

Rail3 11.89 21.67 82.2 8.89 16.12 81.3

Ocean 25.88 53.99 108.6 28.63 --na-- --na--

Total transportation 44.86 84.69 88.8 44.61 --na-- --na--

Farm price4 273.08 188.24 -31.1 273.08 188.24 -31.1

Landed cost 317.94 281.82 -11.4 317.69 --na-- --na--

Transport % of landed cost 14.0 32.0 127.9 13.98 --na-- --na--

To Ciwandan/Cigading, Indonesia

From Central Ukraine1 - Odesa2 From Central Ukraine1 - Mykolaiv2

—US$/mt— % Change —US$/mt— % Change

2021 2022 2021-22 2021 2022 2021-22

Truck 7.09 8.80 24.1 7.09 8.80 24.1

Rail3 11.89 21.67 82.2 8.89 16.12 81.3

Ocean 54.92 84.98 54.7 57.67 --na-- --na--

Total transportation 73.90 115.69 56.5 73.65 --na-- --na--

Farm price4 273.08 188.24 -31.1 273.08 188.24 -31.1

Landed cost 346.98 312.82 -9.8 346.73 --na-- --na--

Transport % of landed cost 21.3 38.8 82.3 21.2 --na-- --na--

1

Central Ukraine producing regions are as follows = Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, and Sumy provinces.

2

Export ports. The Port of Odesa was closed during the second quarter of 2022. The freight average was calculated based on the first, third, and 

fourth quarters of 2022. The Port of Mykolaiv has remained closed to navigation since the second quarter of 2022.

3

Rail rates include the cost of delivery to the railway station and the cost of renting a grain hopper. However, rail rates do not include the cost 

of moving and positioning rail cars at the elevator and port, railway station fees, security service from loading to discharging port, or freightforwarding service. (Any or all of these items could exceed the rail tariff rate.) Rail rates are estimated by using specialized software “TM-Karta” in 

accordance with Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) tariff regulation.

4

Farm price = elevator price − handling costs − farm-to-elevator transportation. 

Note: mt = metric ton; na = not available.

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
7

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Table 2b. Average costs of transporting Ukrainian corn from the Black Sea ports to 

Egypt and China, 2021-22

To Alexandria, Egypt

From Central Ukraine1 - Odesa2 From Central Ukraine1 - Mykolaiv2

—US$/mt— % Change —US$/mt— % Change

2021 2022 2021-22 2021 2022 2021-22

Truck 7.09 8.80 24.1 7.09 8.80 24.1

Rail3 11.89 21.67 82.2 8.89 16.12 81.3

Ocean 25.88 53.99 108.6 28.63 --na-- --na--

Total transportation 44.86 84.69 88.8 44.61 --na-- --na--

Farm price4 270.12 171.53 -36.5 270.12 171.53 -36.5

Landed cost 314.98 262.93 -16.5 314.72 --na-- --na--

Transport % of landed cost 14.3 33.8 136.8 14.2 --na-- --na--

To Shanghai, China

From Central Ukraine1 - Odesa2 From Central Ukraine1 - Mykolaiv2

—US$/mt— % Change —US$/mt— % Change

2021 2022 2021-22 2021 2022 2021-22

Truck 7.09 8.80 24.1 7.09 8.80 24.1

Rail3 11.89 21.67 82.2 8.89 16.12 81.3

Ocean 50.96 79.92 56.8 53.71 --na-- --na--

Total transportation 69.94 110.63 58.2 69.69 --na-- --na--

Farm price4 270.12 171.53 -36.5 270.12 171.53 -36.5

Landed cost 340.06 288.87 -15.1 339.81 --na-- --na--

Transport % of landed cost 20.6 39.7 93.0 20.5 --na-- --na--

1

Central Ukraine producing regions are as follows = Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, and Sumy provinces.

2

Export ports. The Port of Odesa was closed during the second quarter of 2022. The freight average was calculated based on the first, third, and 

fourth quarters of 2022. The Port of Mykolaiv has remained closed to navigation since the second quarter of 2022.

3

Rail rates include the cost of delivery to the railway station and the cost of renting a grain hopper. However, rail rates do not include the cost 

of moving and positioning rail cars at the elevator and port, railway station fees, security service from loading to discharging port, or freightforwarding service. (Any or all of these items could exceed the rail tariff rate.) Rail rates are estimated by using specialized software “TM-Karta” in 

accordance with Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) tariff regulation.

4

Farm price = elevator price − handling costs − farm-to-elevator transportation. 

Note: mt = metric ton; na = not available.

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
8

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Figure 2. Routes1 and wheat, corn, and soybean regions considered in the Ukrainian grain 

export transportation indicator2

1

Table 5 on page 14 provides additional information for routes 1-6.

2

Regions comprised roughly 100 percent of wheat, corn, and soybean production, 2021.

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
9

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Figure 3. Routes1 and wheat regions considered in the Ukrainian grain 

export transportation indicator2

1

Table 5 on page 14 provides additional information for routes 1-6.

2

Regions comprised roughly 100 percent of wheat production, 2021.

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
10

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Figure 4. Routes1 and corn regions considered in the Ukrainian grain 

export transportation indicator2

1

Table 5 on page 14 provides additional information for routes 1-6.

2

Regions comprised roughly 100 percent of corn production, 2021.

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
11

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Figure 5. Routes1 and soybean regions considered in the Ukrainian grain 

export transportation indicator2

1

Table 5 on page 14 provides additional information for routes 1-6.

2

Regions comprised roughly 100 percent of soybean production, 2021.

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
12

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Table 3. Quarterly costs of transporting Ukrainian wheat from the Black Sea ports to 

Egypt and Indonesia, 2022

To Alexandria, Egypt

Central Ukraine1 - Odesa2

—US$/mt— 

Central Ukraine1 - Mykolaiv2

—US$/mt—

1st qtr. 

2022

2nd qtr. 

2022

3rd qtr. 

2022

4th qtr. 

2022

Average 

2022

1st qtr. 

2022

2nd qtr. 

2022

3rd qtr. 

2022

4th qtr. 

2022

Average 

2022

Truck 8.21 10.23 8.20 8.57 8.80 8.21 10.23 8.20 8.57 8.80

Rail3 17.71 19.55 22.54 26.89 21.67 13.28 14.63 16.85 19.72 16.12

Ocean 34.09 --na-- 58.93 68.93 53.99 36.98 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Total transportation 60.01 --na-- 89.68 104.39 84.69 58.46 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Farm price4 294.67 161.57 138.48 158.24 188.24 294.67 161.57 138.48 158.24 188.24

Landed cost 354.68 --na-- 228.16 262.63 281.82 353.14 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Transport % of landed cost 16.9 --na-- 39.3 39.7 32.0 16.6 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

To Ciwandan/Cigading, Indonesia

Central Ukraine1 - Odesa2

—US$/mt— 

Central Ukraine1 - Mykolaiv2

—US$/mt—

1st qtr. 

2022

2nd qtr. 

2022

3rd qtr. 

2022

4th qtr. 

2022

Average 

2022

1st qtr. 

2022

2nd qtr. 

2022

3rd qtr. 

2022

4th qtr. 

2022

Average 

2022

Truck 8.21 10.23 8.20 8.57 8.80 8.21 10.23 8.20 8.57 8.80

Rail3 17.71 19.55 22.54 26.89 21.67 13.28 14.63 16.85 19.72 16.12

Ocean 62.41 --na-- 91.27 101.27 84.98 65.30 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Total transportation 88.32 --na-- 122.01 136.73 115.69 86.78 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Farm price4 294.67 161.57 138.48 158.24 188.24 294.67 161.57 138.48 158.24 188.24

Landed cost 382.99 --na-- 260.49 294.97 312.82 381.45 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Transport % of landed cost 23.1 --na-- 46.8 46.4 38.8 22.7 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

1

Central Ukraine producing regions are as follows = Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, and Sumy provinces.

2

Export ports. The Port of Odesa was closed during the second quarter of 2022. The freight average was calculated based on the first, third, and 

fourth quarters of 2022. The Port of Mykolaiv has remained closed to navigation since the second quarter of 2022.

3

Rail rates include the cost of delivery to the railway station and the cost of renting a grain hopper. However, rail rates do not include the cost 

of moving and positioning rail cars at the elevator and port, railway station fees, security service from loading to discharging port, or freightforwarding service. (Any or all of these items could exceed the rail tariff rate.) Rail rates are estimated by using specialized software “TM-Karta” in 

accordance with Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) tariff regulation.

4

Farm price = elevator price − handling costs − farm-to-elevator transportation. 

Note: qtr = quarter. mt = metric ton. na = not available

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
13

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Table 4. Quarterly costs of transporting Ukrainian corn from the Black Sea ports to 

Egypt and China, 2022

To Alexandria, Egypt

Central Ukraine1 - Odesa2

—US$/mt— 

Central Ukraine1 - Mykolaiv2

—US$/mt—

1st qtr. 

2022

2nd qtr. 

2022

3rd qtr. 

2022

4th qtr. 

2022

Average 

2022

1st qtr. 

2022

2nd qtr. 

2022

3rd qtr. 

2022

4th qtr. 

2022

Average 

2022

Truck 8.21 10.23 8.20 8.57 8.80 8.21 10.23 8.20 8.57 8.80

Rail3 17.71 19.55 22.54 26.89 21.67 13.28 14.63 16.85 19.72 16.12

Ocean 34.09 --na-- 58.93 68.93 53.99 36.98 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Total transportation 60.01 --na-- 89.68 104.39 84.69 58.46 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Farm price4 260.04 151.38 134.67 140.01 171.53 260.04 151.38 134.67 140.01 171.53

Landed cost 320.05 --na-- 224.35 244.40 262.93 318.51 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Transport % of landed cost 18.7 --na-- 40.0 42.7 33.8 18.4 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

To Shanghai, China

Central Ukraine1 - Odesa2

—US$/mt— 

Central Ukraine1 - Mykolaiv2

—US$/mt—

1st qtr. 

2022

2nd qtr. 

2022

3rd qtr. 

2022

4th qtr. 

2022

Average 

2022

1st qtr. 

2022

2nd qtr. 

2022

3rd qtr. 

2022

4th qtr. 

2022

Average 

2022

Truck 8.21 10.23 8.20 8.57 8.80 8.21 10.23 8.20 8.57 8.80

Rail3 17.71 19.55 22.54 26.89 21.67 13.28 14.63 16.85 19.72 16.12

Ocean 57.78 --na-- 85.99 95.99 79.92 60.96 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Total transportation 83.70 --na-- 116.73 131.45 110.63 82.44 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Farm price4 260.04 151.38 134.67 140.01 171.53 260.04 151.38 134.67 140.01 171.53

Landed cost 343.74 --na-- 251.40 271.46 288.87 342.49 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

Transport % of landed cost 24.3 --na-- 46.4 48.4 39.7 24.1 --na-- --na-- --na-- --na--

1

Central Ukraine producing regions are as follows = Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, and Sumy provinces.

2

Export ports. The Port of Odesa was closed during the second quarter of 2022. The freight average was calculated based on the first, third, and 

fourth quarters of 2022. The Port of Mykolaiv has remained closed to navigation since the second quarter of 2022.

3

Rail rates include the cost of delivery to the railway station and the cost of renting a grain hopper. However, rail rates do not include the cost 

of moving and positioning rail cars at the elevator and port, railway station fees, security service from loading to discharging port, or freightforwarding service. (Any or all of these items could exceed the rail tariff rate.) Rail rates are estimated by using specialized software “TM-Karta” in 

accordance with Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) tariff regulation.

4

Farm price = elevator price − handling costs − farm-to-elevator transportation. 

Note: qtr = quarter. mt = metric ton. na = not available.

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
14

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Table 5. Quarterly rail rates for selected Ukrainian grain and soybean 

export transportation routes, 2022

Route 

#

Origin 

(reference city)1 Destination Distance (miles)

Share 

(%)2

Freight price (US$/mt/100 miles)3

1st qtr 2nd qtr 3rd qtr 4th qtr Avg

1

Western Ukraine 

(Khmelnitskii, station 

Starokonstantinov 1)

Mykolaiv 501 

29.7

5.00 5.58 6.20 7.67 6.11

2

Western Ukraine 

(Khmelnitskii, station 

Starokonstantinov 1)

Odesa 343 5.17 5.70 6.54 7.84 6.31

3 Eastern Ukraine (Kharkiv, 

station Lihachevo) Mykolaiv 340 

18.8

5.21 5.75 6.63 7.91 6.38

4 Eastern Ukraine (Kharkiv, 

station Lihachevo) Odesa 521 4.88 5.36 6.11 7.51 5.96

5

Central Ukraine 

(Cherkasy, station 

Zolotonosha 1)

Mykolaiv 240 

51.5

5.54 6.10 7.03 8.22 6.72

6

Central Ukraine 

(Cherkasy, station 

Zolotonosha 1)

Odesa 341 5.19 5.73 6.61 7.88 6.35

1

Although each origin region comprises several cities, the major station at the center of each region is considered as a reference to establish the freight 

price. Western Ukraine producing regions are as follows = Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnitskii, Lviv, Rivne, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zakarpattia, 

and Zhytomyr provinces. Eastern Ukraine producing regions are as follows = Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Zaporizhia provinces. 

Central Ukraine producing regions are as follows = Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, and Sumy provinces. 

2

Share is measured as a percentage of total production and illustrates the production in the region.

3

Rail rates include the cost of delivery to the railway station and the cost of renting a grain hopper. However, rail rates do not include the cost of 

moving and positioning rail cars at the elevator and port, railway station fees, security service from loading to discharging port, or freight-forwarding 

service. (Any or all of these items could exceed the rail tariff rate.) Rail rates are estimated by using specialized software “TM-Karta” in accordance with 

Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) tariff regulation.

Average monthly exchange rate from the National Bank of Ukraine was used to convert Ukrainian Hryvnia to U.S. dollars.

Note: qtr = quarter. mt = metric ton. Avg = average.

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
15

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Table 6. Monthly Ukrainian grain and oilseeds export truck transportation cost index

Month

Freight price 

(US$/mt/100 

miles)

Index variation 

(%) 

(Base: 

prior month)

Index value 

(Base: 

Jan. 05 = 100)

Jan-19 18.65 0.0 100.00

Feb-19 19.15 2.6 102.65

Mar-19 16.75 -12.5 89.81

Apr-19 14.92 -10.9 79.99

May-19 15.16 1.6 81.30

Jun-19 15.09 -0.5 80.93

Jul-19 15.53 2.9 83.28

Aug-19 15.84 2.0 84.94

Sep-19 16.15 1.9 86.58

Oct-19 16.12 -0.2 86.45

Nov-19 18.47 14.5 99.01

Dec-19 17.80 -3.6 95.42

Jan-20 17.41 -2.2 93.36

Feb-20 15.94 -8.5 85.45

Mar-20 16.43 3.1 88.10

Apr-20 13.58 -17.4 72.79

May-20 13.57 0.0 72.78

Jun-20 13.31 -1.9 71.39

Jul-20 10.74 -19.3 57.58

Aug-20 7.63 -29.0 40.91

Sep-20 9.87 29.4 52.92

Oct-20 7.77 -21.3 41.66

Nov-20 8.14 4.8 43.64

Dec-20 8.70 6.9 46.64

Month

Freight price 

(US$/mt/100 

miles)

Index variation 

(%) 

(Base: 

prior month)

Index value 

(Base: 

Jan. 05 = 100)

Jan-21 6.22 -28.5 33.35

Feb-21 6.99 12.4 37.48

Mar-21 9.90 41.6 53.08

Apr-21 8.70 -12.1 46.64

May-21 7.41 -14.8 39.73

Jun-21 11.47 54.8 61.50

Jul-21 13.84 20.7 74.22

Aug-21 14.91 7.7 79.92

Sep-21 18.67 25.3 100.12

Oct-21 20.94 12.1 112.26

Nov-21 22.83 9.0 122.40

Dec-21 16.87 -26.1 90.44

Jan-22 14.96 -11.3 80.21

Feb-22 16.15 7.9 86.58

Mar-22 17.17 6.3 92.06

Apr-22 17.94 4.5 96.19

May-22 18.38 2.5 98.55

Jun-22 19.15 4.2 102.68

Jul-22 16.93 -11.6 90.79

Aug-22 17.61 4.0 94.42

Sep-22 19.46 10.5 104.33

Oct-22 19.81 1.8 106.22

Nov-22 20.16 1.8 108.11

Dec-22 20.84 3.4 111.73

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.
16

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Table 7. Quarterly ocean freight rates for shipping grain and soybeans from selected 

Ukrainian ports (US$/metric ton)

Cargo Port Destination 1st qtr 

2020

2nd qtr 

2020

3rd qtr 

2020

4th qtr 

2020

Wheat Mykolaiv Alexandria, Egypt1 13.08 10.58 15.00 16.17

Wheat Mykolaiv Ciwandan/Cigading, Indonesia2 32.42 25.25 34.75 33.58

Wheat Odessa Alexandria, Egypt1 11.33 8.83 13.08 14.42

Wheat Odesa Ciwandan/Cigading, Indonesia2 30.67 23.50 32.83 31.83

Corn Mykolaiv Alexandria, Egypt1 13.08 10.58 15.00 16.17

Corn Mykolaiv Southern ports, China2 31.92 27.58 34.25 34.25

Corn Odesa Alexandria, Egypt1 11.33 8.83 13.08 14.42

Corn Odessa Southern ports, China3 29.17 24.83 31.50 31.50

Soybeans Mykolaiv Southern ports, China3 30.92 26.58 33.25 33.25

Soybeans Odesa Southern ports, China3 29.17 24.83 31.50 31.50

Cargo Port Destination 1st qtr 

2022

2nd qtr 

2022

3rd qtr 

2022

4th qtr 

2022

Wheat Mykolaiv Alexandria, Egypt1 36.98 --na-- --na-- --na-- 

Wheat Mykolaiv Ciwandan/Cigading, Indonesia2 65.30 --na-- --na-- --na-- 

Wheat Odessa Alexandria, Egypt1 34.09 --na-- 58.93 68.93 

Wheat Odesa Ciwandan/Cigading, Indonesia2 62.41 --na-- 91.27 101.27 

Corn Mykolaiv Alexandria, Egypt1 36.98 --na-- --na-- --na-- 

Corn Mykolaiv Southern ports, China2 60.96 --na-- --na-- --na-- 

Corn Odesa Alexandria, Egypt1 34.09 --na-- 58.93 68.93 

Corn Odessa Southern ports, China3 57.78 --na-- 85.99 95.99 

Soybeans Mykolaiv Southern ports, China3 59.81 --na-- --na-- --na-- 

Soybeans Odesa Southern ports, China3 57.78 --na-- 85.99 95.99 

1

Vessel size = 25,000-30,000 metric ton.

2

Vessel size = 50,000-55,000 metric ton.

3

Vessel size = 60,000-70,000 metric ton.

Note: China’s main southern ports include Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, and Guangdong. na = not available. 

The Port of Odesa was closed during the second quarter of 2022. The freight average was calculated based on the first, third, and fourth quarters 

of 2022. The Port of Mykolaiv has remained closed to navigation since the second quarter of 2022.

Source: Centre for Transport Strategies (CFTS) Kyiv, Ukraine, and USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service.

Cargo Port Destination 1st qtr 

2021

2nd qtr 

2021

3rd qtr 

2021

4th qtr 

2021

Wheat Mykolaiv Alexandria, Egypt1 21.67 24.17 35.00 33.67

Wheat Mykolaiv Ciwandan/Cigading, Indonesia2 45.50 51.00 72.83 61.33

Wheat Odessa Alexandria, Egypt1 19.50 21.50 31.50 31.00

Wheat Odesa Ciwandan/Cigading, Indonesia2 43.33 48.33 69.33 58.67

Corn Mykolaiv Alexandria, Egypt1 21.67 24.17 35.00 33.67

Corn Mykolaiv Southern ports, China2 42.25 49.42 66.42 56.75

Corn Odesa Alexandria, Egypt1 19.50 21.50 31.50 31.00

Corn Odessa Southern ports, China3 39.50 46.67 63.67 54.00

Soybeans Mykolaiv Southern ports, China3 41.25 48.42 65.42 55.75

Soybeans Odesa Southern ports, China3 39.50 46.67 63.67 54.00
17

Ukraine Grain Transportation

Delmy L. Salin

Senior Economist, Project Manager

delmy.salin@usda.gov

202.720.0833

Jessica Ladd

Graphic Analyst

jessica.ladd@usda.gov

202.720.6494

Data Sets (XLS files):

• Figure 1a. Ukrainian wheat, corn and soybeans export truck cost index, 2021-22

• Table 1a. Tonnages and modal shares for Ukrainian grain and oilseed exports through Ukrainian 

seaports, 2018-22

• Table 2a. Average costs of transporting Ukrainian wheat from the Black Sea ports to Egypt and 

Indonesia, 2021-22

• Table 2b. Average costs of transporting Ukrainian corn from the Black Sea ports to Egypt and 

China, 2021-22

• Table 3. Quarterly costs of transporting Ukrainian wheat from the Black Sea ports to Egypt and 

Indonesia, 2022

• Table 4. Quarterly costs of transporting Ukrainian corn from the Black Sea ports to Egypt and 

China, 2022

• Table 5. Quarterly rail rates for selected Ukrainian grain and soybean export transportation routes, 

2022

• Table 6. Monthly Ukrainian grain and oilseeds export truck transportation cost index

• Table 7. Quarterly ocean freight rates for shipping grain and soybeans from selected Ukrainian 

ports (US$/metric ton)

Preferred Citation:

Delmy Salin. June 2023. Ukraine Grain Transportation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing 

Service. Web <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS260.06-2023>

Photo Credit: USDA

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

Acknowledgments:

For data, regional information, and maps of Ukraine, the author would like to thank the Centre for Transport 

Strategies in Kyiv, Ukraine. The author is, also, grateful for comments and critiques by USDA’s Office of the 

Chief Economist, Economic Research Service, and Foreign Agricultural Service in Washington, DC, and USDA’s 

Office of Agricultural Affairs in Kyiv, Ukraine. Thanks, also, to USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service employees 

Maria Williams, editor, Jessica Ladd, graphic designer, and Kranti Mulik, Economist.

Contact Information: