As a result of Russian shelling during the nights of July 11 and July 12, the port assets of agricultural holding Kernel sustained significant damage, forcing the suspension of operations, the company's press service reported.
“The attacks damaged loading and unloading equipment, terminal infrastructure, and power supply lines. Grain silos and sunflower oil storage tanks were destroyed or damaged, resulting in the blockage, spillage, and quality loss of approximately 45,000 tonnes of wheat and 9,000 tonnes of sunflower oil,” the statement said.
The company noted that, thanks to implemented safety measures, none of its employees were injured.
A technical assessment of the damage is currently underway to determine the extent of product losses and the capital investment required for repairs. According to the press service, the timeline for restoring terminal operations will depend on the completion of recovery work and the results of an engineering inspection.
Kernel emphasized that attacks on port infrastructure pose a threat not only to Ukraine’s agricultural exports but also to global food security and international shipping.
The company also noted that vessels flying the flags of China and other countries were being loaded at the port when the attacks occurred.
Kernel’s terminal at the port of Chornomorsk had already been damaged during Russian drone attacks on the nights of May 3 and June 5. In May, the company’s vegetable oil transshipment terminal was hit, while on May 18 Russian drones damaged a Kernel grain elevator in the Khmelnytskyi region.
Kernel is the world's largest producer and exporter of sunflower oil, Ukraine’s largest grain exporter, the operator of an extensive logistics network, and a leading producer of grain and oilseed crops in Ukraine. The company is also one of the country's largest producers and sellers of bottled vegetable oil and is engaged in agricultural production and trading.
According to its results for the first nine months of fiscal year 2026, Kernel’s net profit declined by 5% to $208 million, while revenue increased by 0.4% to $3.092 billion and EBITDA rose by 1% to $403 million.
According to its fiscal year 2025 report, Kernel owns Ukraine’s largest private grain storage network, with a total one-time storage capacity of 2.2 million tonnes.
