- Rail exports surge: Ukrainian vegetable oil rail exports jumped 41% m/m in February to 86,000 tons, and 19% y/y, signaling stronger export momentum.
- Robust EU corridors: Western border crossings handled 66% of oil and 75% of meal/cake volumes, underscoring the strategic role of EU land routes.
- Meal exports resilient: Meal and cake exports reached 151,100 tons, down 4% m/m but up 15% y/y, confirming sustained global demand.
- Outlook: Neutral to mildly bullish as logistics improve and Ukraine maintains competitiveness, though sustainability of current pace into Q2 remains key.
Ukrainian Vegetable Oil Rail Exports Surge in February
Ukraine’s state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia reported a sharp acceleration in vegetable oil exports by rail in February. Total shipped volumes reached 86,000 tons, up 41% month-on-month and 19% versus the same period a year earlier. The rebound follows a typically slower January and points to improving logistics capacity and renewed export momentum.
Export flows were split between western land routes and maritime channels. Western border crossings handled around 66% of total vegetable oil rail volumes, while seaports accounted for the remaining 34%. This distribution highlights the continued strategic importance of European Union border crossings for Ukrainian agricultural trade.
Meal and Cake Export Performance
Rail exports of meal and cake reached 151,100 tons in February. On a monthly basis, this was 4% lower than January volumes, but on a yearly comparison it represents a solid 15% increase, confirming resilient international demand for Ukrainian protein meals.
The routing pattern for meal and cake differed from that of vegetable oil. Approximately 75% of these volumes moved through western border crossings, with the remaining 25% shipped via port facilities. This heavier reliance on land corridors underscores how overland logistics have become a core pillar of Ukraine’s export strategy.
Logistics Structure and Volume Breakdown
| Product | Period | Total Rail Exports (tons) | Western Border Share | Port Share | m/m Change | y/y Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetable oil | February | 86,000 | 66% | 34% | +41% | +19% |
| Meal & cake | February | 151,100 | 75% | 25% | -4% | +15% |
Market Implications
The February surge in vegetable oil rail exports is neutral to mildly bullish for the broader vegetable oil and protein meal complex. Stronger flows signal that Ukraine is effectively navigating logistical constraints and maintaining its competitive position in global markets. At the same time, the modest month-on-month pullback in meal and cake contrasts with the robust year-on-year growth, suggesting that traders should watch closely whether current export pace and corridor capacity can be sustained into Q2.
Source: Market Data
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