Against the background of constant blockades of the Polish border, Ukraine plans to open an additional export route along the Danube River. The new route will help increase grain exports to pre-war levels.
This was reported by Bloomberg news agency with reference to a comment by Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.
"Our plans for this year are to remove all artificial obstacles for exporters and we are working on improving domestic logistics. - said Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov during the Munich Security Conference. - We are planning container transportation along the upper Danube".
It is noted that Romania is "more predictable" than Polish border. The additional route across the Romanian river border is intended to increase grain and Ukrainian crops exports to pre-war levels. Ukraine is now unable to reach such figures because of border blockades by Polish protesters.
According to the Minister, the proposed new route will run from the Ukrainian port of Izmail to the Romanian port of Constanta and the Danube ports of Germany. The Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company has already built a second large-capacity barge SLG for cargo delivery, the Infrastructure Ministry said earlier this month.
Oleksandr Kubrakov said that despite the fact that many exporters prefer the Black Sea because it is cheaper, volumes through the Danube still amount 1.2-1.8 million tons per month.
Port exports from Ukraine account for the vast majority of grain deliveries, with 83% of grain exports coming from sea and river corridors. Despite the fact that rail and truck transportation account for only 16% of grain exports, due to the blockade of the border by the Poles, exports fell from 1.3 million tons in 2022 to 300 000 tons of grain in 2024.
According to Kubrakov, the protests affect both European and Ukrainian exporters.
"This is definitely not a threat to Polish farmers, as we carry not only agricultural products, but also auto parts for German car manufacturers and processed foods that are not directed to Poland," the Minister said. "Blocking the border means billions of dollars in losses for both our economy and the economy of the European Union".
Earlier, Poles blocked the railroad at one of the checkpoints and scattered grain from a freight car.