Sea route helped boost Ukraine's agricultural exports to 7.18 mln tonnes in Dec 2023

MOSCOW. Jan 9 (Interfax) - Ukrainian agricultural exports increased to 7.18 million tonnes in December 2023 from 5.46 million tonnes in November, the second largest result in 2023 after 7.45 million tonnes recorded in March, Ukrainian media said, citing data on the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry's website.

The growth was due to an increase in shipments through ports to 6.14 million tonnes, the largest amount during the crisis, from 4.29 million tonnes in November, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, exports by rail declined to 840,000 tonnes in December from 940,000 in November, and exports by road dropped to 140,000 tonnes from 180,000 tonnes, as compared to over 600,000 tonnes in the fall of 2022. A further 60,000 tonnes was shipped in December by ferry, versus 40,000 tonnes in November.

As for the share of different agricultural crops, the growth of Ukrainian exports in December was largely due to corn, the export of which increased to 3.12 million tonnes from 2.33 million tonnes in November. Wheat exports rose to 1.84 million tonnes from 1.13 million tonnes, sunflower oil exports went up to 670,000 tonnes from 510,000 tonnes, export of oilseed residues increased to 490,000 tonnes from 390,000 tonnes, and barley exports grew to 250,000 tonnes from 180,000 tonnes. Rapeseed exports remained unchanged in December at around 350,000 tonnes, while soybean exports dropped to 420,000 tonnes from 510,000 tonnes.

In total, Ukraine exported 61.80 million tonnes of agricultural products in 2023, including 47.20 million tonnes by sea, 10.32 million tonnes by rail, 3.23 million tonnes by road, and 1.05 million by ferry, the ministry said.

Ukraine's largest export in 2023 was corn - 26 million tonnes, of which 20.42 million tonnes was shipped from ports, 4.70 million tonnes by rail, 750,000 tonnes by road, and 140,000 tonnes by ferry, it said.

Ukraine's second biggest export in 2023 was wheat. Ukraine exported 16.17 million tonnes of wheat to foreign markets, including 13.70 million tonnes via ports, 1.78 million tonnes by rail, 480,000 tonnes by road, and 200,000 by ferry.

Its third largest export last year was sunflower oil. Ukraine exported 5.59 million tonnes of sunflower oil to foreign markets in 2023, including 3.92 million tonnes via ports, 820,000 tonnes by rail, 600,000 tonnes by road, and 250,000 tonnes by ferry.

Ukraine also exported 4.36 million tonnes of oilseed residues, 3.42 million tonnes of soybeans and 2.99 million tonnes of rapeseed in 2023.

Ukraine's exports of barley in 2023 stood at 2.62 million tonnes, of sunflower seed at 2.12 million tonnes and of soybean oil at 270,000 tonnes.

Corn accounted for 42.09% of Ukraine's total agricultural exports in 2023, sunflower seed for 1.28%, soybean oil for 0.46%, sunflower oil for 9.05%, wheat for 26.16%, rapeseed for 4.85%, soybeans for 5.54%, oilseed residues for 7.06%, and barley for 3.5%.