Due to port blockades, Ukraine could lose out on €10.8 billion in agricultural exports, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy

This was reported by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.

Ukraine is calling on the European Union to establish a grant mechanism to support farmers.

Constant shelling and the closure of three deep-water ports in the Greater Odesa region—through which more than 90% of agricultural exports typically pass—have jeopardized the export of the harvest and the 2027 planting season.

Of the 64.4 million metric tons needed in the 2026/27 marketing year, Ukraine will be able to export only about 29.6 million metric tons via alternative routes. As early as November, the shortage of storage capacity could reach 11 million metric tons.

Ukraine has proposed that the EU provide a €220 million non-repayable grant to compensate for interest rates and partially cover banking risks, in particular by expanding the “5-7-9%” program. Every €1 of the grant will help attract more than €18 in preferential loans, providing agricultural producers with over €4 billion in working capital.

International partners agreed to immediately work on launching the mechanism through the Ukraine Facility in the coming weeks.

As a reminder, Russia has intensified its shelling of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, effectively blocking the maritime transport of Ukrainian agricultural products for the first time since 2022. “Shelter” interviewed experts about the consequences of the blockade of Ukraine’s “grain corridor,” as well as forecasts and potential solutions to the situation.