Since the middle of spring this year, despite the operational Ukrainian Black Sea corridor, export railway transport has shown a declining trend. This is indicated by the data from JSC Ukrzaliznytsia.
In March, 8.1 million tons of cargo were transported in the export direction, but in April, this number dropped to 7 million tons. After a slight increase in May (7.6 million tons), further decreases were recorded: 6.8 million tons in June and 6.4 million tons in July.
It should be noted that recent infographics released by the Ministry of Infrastructure regarding the operation of the Ukrainian maritime corridor show a decrease in export cargo transport via this route starting from May. In April, maritime exports through the ports of Odessa region amounted to 7.7 million tons, but in May, June, and July, the figures were 7.2 million tons, 5.6 million tons, and 5.5 million tons, respectively. Both agricultural products and ferrous metallurgy cargoes showed a decline.
Earlier, Ukrzaliznytsia forecasted a loss of UAH 2.7 billion by the end of the year, despite reporting a profit of UAH 3.1 billion for the first half of the year.
It was also reported that global prices for wheat and iron ore are decreasing. This has a negative impact on Ukraine's economy, as key export commodities are losing value.
Furthermore, Volodymyr Husak, the General Director of the Federation of Employers of Transport of Ukraine, noted that global iron ore prices are currently low, while Ukrainian producers have recently experienced a sharp increase in electricity costs. According to him, this may lead to a situation where, due to potential future tariff increases by Ukrzaliznytsia, iron ore transport by rail could be temporarily suspended.
