The Ukrainian agricultural sector continues to operate under wartime conditions, despite constant attacks by Russian forces on the port infrastructure used for the export of grain and oil. Sea ports remain the primary transportation route for agricultural exports; however, recently, sales volumes have significantly decreased compared to 2024 and 2023. There has been a particularly noticeable reduction in the export of corn and wheat, which traditionally account for the largest share of Ukrainian agricultural exports.
This is reported by Business • Media
Dynamics of Agricultural Exports During the War Years
According to the Ministry of Economy, in the first year of full-scale aggression (from March to December 2022), Ukraine managed to export 38.93 million tons of grain. Additionally, during this period, 3.26 million tons of sunflower oil and other agricultural products were exported. In the first two months of the war, the largest volumes of grain exports were carried out via railways; however, starting in May, maritime exports surpassed the railway route. Beginning in June 2022, Ukraine gradually increased grain exports through sea ports, and in September-October and December, they exceeded the mark of 5 million tons per month.
In 2023, Ukraine significantly increased agricultural exports: the volume of grain exports rose to 61.78 million tons, while 5.59 million tons of sunflower oil were exported. Last year, in 2024, agricultural product exports reached the highest level since the beginning of the full-scale war, totaling 70.1 million tons. The main export positions remained corn (28.84 million tons) and wheat (19.87 million tons), while the volume of sunflower oil exports reached 5.84 million tons.
Exports in 2025: Trends and Volumes
From January to October 2025, Ukraine exported 37.35 million tons of grain, which is almost half of the volume exported during the same period last year, aligning with the export level from March to December 2022. The largest volumes continue to be attributed to corn (13.53 million tons) and wheat (11.76 million tons). Sunflower oil exports during this period amounted to 3.5 million tons. The most successful month for agricultural product shipments through sea ports was March, when 4.2 million tons were exported.
Russian forces continue to attack the port infrastructure that Ukraine uses, including for the export of agricultural products. Sea ports remain a key transportation route for the export of grain and oil. However, it is already evident that sales have decreased compared to 2024 and 2023.
Thus, Ukrainian agricultural exports remain one of the main sources of budget revenue even in wartime conditions, but their volumes are significantly dependent on the security of port infrastructure and the stability of transportation routes.