Ukraine warns of 11 million tonne grain storage shortfall this autumn

Black Sea port disruptions force urgent search for temporary storage

Disruption of exports through Black Sea ports, which previously accounted for 90% of Ukraine's grain shipments, could mean the country faces a shortage of grain storage capacity, Reuters reported, citing the agriculture ministry on Monday.

Ukraine is in the midst of its grain harvest, having collected more than 17 million metric tons of grain from about 34% of the sown area.

The ministry said the storage shortfall could reach 11 million tons and that it had asked US partners for support in procuring equipment for temporary on-farm grain storage.

According to APK-Inform analysts, Ukraine's 2026 harvest could exceed 60 million tons, with exports projected at 39 million tons and carryover stocks reaching a record-high 14.3 million tons.

The most difficult situation could arise in mid-autumn, around September and October, when elevators are filled with unexported wheat and barley and farmers begin harvesting corn on a large scale.

At the start of the war with Russia in 2022, Ukraine experienced a shortage of grain elevators and other storage capacity after its seaports were blocked.

The shortfall amounted to about 15 million tons in 2022, according to Mykola Solskyi, who was agriculture minister at the time. The deficit was later partly addressed through the use of grain storage bags supplied by Ukraine's allies.

Ukraine does not officially disclose its grain storage capacity, some of which has been destroyed or damaged in Russian attacks.

Farmers and traders are also wary of storing grain in elevators located near the front line or military facilities.