Romania and Poland restrict the transit of Ukrainian grain / The Black Sea blockade threatens exports and food security

Romania and Poland have announced that their infrastructure can no longer support a significant increase in the transport of Ukrainian grain, as attacks on ports and vessels in the Black Sea continue for a third month. The situation threatens Ukraine’s exports, the next agricultural season and global food security.

Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister, Taras Vysotskyi, called in Brussels for the European Union to allow the transit of larger quantities of agricultural products and allocate approximately €1.1 billion to cover additional transport costs. At present, less than half of Ukraine’s agricultural exports can be transported by rail, road and river through Europe.

If the blockade in the Black Sea persists, up to 35 million tonnes of grain could remain trapped in Ukraine this year. Romania is already facing pressure on its ports, compounded by low water levels on the Danube, while Minister Barna Tánczos says the number of trains and road, rail and port capacities cannot be doubled.

Poland does not currently intend to modify its infrastructure to increase transit. Meanwhile, Ukraine is considering using ports in Germany and the Netherlands. A lack of sales could leave farmers without money for autumn sowing, risking a reduction of cultivated areas by up to 35–40%. The Council on Foreign Relations warns that more than 17% of the grain traded worldwide could be affected.