Ukraine has stepped up discussions with Poland on using Polish port infrastructure to export agricultural products. The ports of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Szczecin, and Świnoujście are being considered as alternatives to the disrupted ports of Greater Odesa, following repeated Russian attacks that have severely affected Ukraine's Black Sea export logistics.
During the talks, officials from Ukraine's Ministry of Agrarian Policy stressed that restoring the humanitarian maritime corridor remains the top priority. At the same time, the government aims to maximize the use of the EU's "Solidarity Lanes" by combining Polish seaports with rail and road transport routes to maintain agricultural exports.
However, both sides acknowledge that the proposed routes must first be evaluated for their economic viability. Additional transportation costs, cargo handling expenses, and the capacity of border infrastructure will determine whether these routes can become commercially sustainable. Ukraine and Poland are therefore also discussing measures to expand the capacity of rail and road border crossings with the involvement of railway, customs, border, veterinary, and phytosanitary authorities.
Developing alternative export corridors has become increasingly important for Ukraine's agricultural sector. With maritime exports under pressure, the government warns of a potential grain storage shortage and reduced working capital for farmers ahead of the next planting season. Expanding transit through Polish ports is expected to help maintain export flows, preserve foreign currency earnings, and ease pressure on the domestic agricultural market.