Ukraine Warns Russian Attacks on Odesa Ports Risk Export Collapse, Food Security
Impact of Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Odesa Ports and Global Food Security
Damage to Export Terminals and Threats to Shipments
KYIV, June 10 (Reuters) - Russian attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea ports have already caused serious damage to export terminals, threatening a significant reduction in shipments, including the country's key agricultural exports, Ukraine's largest farmers' union UAC said on Wednesday.
Importance of Odesa Ports for Ukraine’s Economy
All iron ore and more than 90% of Ukraine's agricultural exports are shipped through the three ports of the Odesa hub, with farm export revenues accounting for the bulk of export earnings for wartime Ukraine.
Escalation of Attacks on Port Infrastructure
In recent months, Russia has significantly stepped up attacks on port infrastructure, hitting grain terminals as well as facilities used to store and export sunflower oil. Grain and vegetable oil dominate Ukraine's agricultural exports.
Critical Situation and Financial Strain
"The situation at ports in the Odesa region has reached a critical point. Systematic Russian shelling is destroying Ukraine's logistical heart," UAC said in a statement.
"Businesses have exhausted their financial reserves for endless repairs under shelling. Without a state framework programme and support from foreign funds, it is impossible to restore the terminals on their own," the union added.
Funding Needs and Recovery Estimates
The union does not specify how much funding is needed to restore the terminals.
However, according to World Bank estimates, the recovery needs of Ukraine's entire transport sector were assessed at $96.3 billion as of the end of 2025, with around 60% of transport-related losses linked to disrupted access to ports.
Foreign Ownership and Export Risks
Dozens of grain and oilseed terminals are located at the ports, some of them owned by major foreign companies.
If terminals lose the ability to recover quickly, exports will collapse, storage facilities will overflow, and farmers will lack the working capital needed for the next sowing campaigns, UAC noted.
"This poses a threat to food security in both Ukraine and the world."
Current Export Figures and Global Implications
Ukraine, a large global grain exporter, has shipped abroad more than 34 million metric tons of various grains so far in the 2025/26 season, official data showed. The country exported 38.6 million tons of grain in the same period in 2024/25.
(Reporting by Pavel PolityukEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
