Grains & Oilseeds
EU: Ukraine could lack storage for over 9 million tons of grain by October as exports halve
The EU Delegation to Ukraine warns that more than 9 million tons of grain could be left without adequate storage by October, as exports run at half of last year's level after attacks on ports and shipping routes. With the Black Sea carrying around 90% of Ukraine's agricultural exports and Solidarity Lanes unable to fully replace maritime shipments, the EU says the squeeze is weakening farm finances ahead of next year's planting and could spill into global food markets.
Feedsoft News · 9/9/2026
Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
Ukraine could be left without adequate storage for more than 9 million tons of grain by October, the EU Delegation to Ukraine has warned, as this season's harvest accumulates faster than it can be shipped out. 🌾
The underlying problem is export capacity. According to the EU, Ukrainian grain exports have halved against last year amid attacks on ports, shipping routes and agricultural infrastructure. Sea freight remains the backbone of the trade: the Black Sea handles around 90% of the country's agricultural exports, and the EU says the Solidarity Lanes, while helping to sustain volumes, cannot fully substitute for maritime shipments. The delegation stressed that safe and reliable access to Black Sea ports is what stable agricultural exports depend on.
The financial pressure is already reaching farms. The EU says limited export capacity is weakening growers' financial position just as they prepare to plant next year's crop — a sequencing problem, since planting decisions are made before unsold stocks are cleared.
Brussels' response is concentrated on three areas:
- additional grain storage capacity
- financial support for farmers
- more efficient cross-border transport
These are intended to limit crop losses and keep agricultural businesses running.
The EU also warns that prolonged export and storage constraints could reach beyond Ukraine's borders, noting that the country remains a major supplier of grains and oilseeds and that restrictions on its exports could affect food availability and prices on international markets. 📦
For feed manufacturers and grain buyers, the reported bottleneck puts export access and storage capacity alongside crop size in assessing Ukraine's supply outlook. The practical question is whether additional storage and more efficient transport can ease the pressure before October. The source does not quantify how much capacity will be available by then.
Sources
Ukraine could face storage shortage for over 9 mln tons of grain by October – EU