- Rail exports rising: Ukrainian vegetable oil exports by rail rose 28% month-on-month to 114,700 tonnes in the first 25 days of February.
- Shift from ports to borders: Border crossing exports surged 84.8% year-on-year and now account for 66% of rail volumes, while port shipments fell 46.1%.
- Oilcake and meal resilience: Oilcake and meal exports totaled 199,900 tonnes, down 7.8% from January but up 9% versus February 2023, with 76% moving via border crossings.
- Logistics impact: The pivot to land routes supports export continuity but is neutral to slightly bearish for traditional Black Sea port-based logistics.
Ukraine Shifts Vegetable Oil Export Routes as Rail Volumes Rise
Market Update
Ukraine exported 114,700 tonnes of vegetable oil by rail during the first 25 days of February, according to data from JSC Ukrzaliznytsia. This represents a 28% increase compared to January and a 1.2% gain year-on-year, underscoring the growing role of rail in sustaining export flows.
The export route mix has changed sharply. Only 34% of total rail-transported vegetable oil moved through ports, a 46.1% decline versus the same period last year. Border crossing shipments, by contrast, surged 84.8% year-on-year and now account for 66% of all rail-exported vegetable oil volumes.
Oilcake and meal exports reached 199,900 tonnes in February. While this was 7.8% lower than in January, it marked a 9% year-on-year increase. Land borders dominated this flow as well, with 76% of total oilcake and meal volumes moving via border crossings, up 13.7% compared to February 2023, while port exports dipped 3.1%.
Export Volumes by Product and Route
| Metric | Value | Month-on-Month | Year-on-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetable oil exports by rail (first 25 days of Feb) | 114,700 tonnes | +28.0% | +1.2% |
| Share via ports (vegetable oil, rail) | 34% of rail volumes | n/a | -46.1% vs prior year period |
| Share via border crossings (vegetable oil, rail) | 66% of rail volumes | n/a | +84.8% vs prior year period |
| Oilcake & meal exports (Feb total) | 199,900 tonnes | -7.8% | +9.0% |
| Oilcake & meal via border crossings | 76% of total volumes | n/a | +13.7% vs Feb 2023 |
| Oilcake & meal via ports | 24% of total volumes | n/a | -3.1% vs Feb 2023 |
Analysis and Market Impact
The pronounced rotation from port-based to land border exports highlights Ukraine’s ongoing adaptation to logistical constraints and security-related disruptions in the Black Sea. The 84.8% surge in border crossing volumes for vegetable oil points to increasingly reliable European rail corridors and closer integration with EU buyers.
For traders and logistics providers, this shift has implications for freight structures, insurance costs, and delivery timelines. Land-based exports via rail may involve higher per-tonne transport costs but can offer more predictable scheduling than vulnerable maritime routes. Overall, the trend is neutral to slightly bearish for traditional Black Sea port-based logistics, but it underscores the market’s ability to re-route flows and maintain export continuity for both vegetable oil and oilseed byproducts.
Source: Market Data
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