Ukraine has lost approximately one-third of its grain handling capacity at key Black Sea ports as a result of sustained Russian missile and drone attacks on port infrastructure. According to industry representatives, the ports of the Odesa region previously handled around 6 million tonnes of cargo per month, but throughput has now fallen to roughly 4 million tonnes.
Despite these losses, Black Sea ports remain the primary export gateway for Ukrainian agricultural products. More than 90% of the country's grain exports pass through the ports of the Odesa region, meaning that damage to port infrastructure directly affects shipment volumes, logistics costs, and the fulfillment of international contracts. Industry organizations warn that without timely repairs, continued attacks could further reduce export capacity.
Analysts note that the decline in port capacity comes at the start of the new harvest export season, placing additional pressure on Ukraine's logistics network. Longer vessel waiting times, higher transportation costs, and lower export efficiency could weaken the competitiveness of Ukrainian grain in global markets. Danube ports can absorb part of the cargo flow, but they are unable to fully replace the capacity of the Black Sea terminals.
The continued operation of Ukraine's port infrastructure will remain a decisive factor for the country's agricultural exports. Maintaining the maritime corridor and rapidly restoring damaged terminals will be essential for supporting the agricultural sector and ensuring stable food supplies to international markets.