(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Ukraine exported 2.6 million tonnes of grain and legume crops in the first month of the 2026/2027 marketing year, according to data from the State Customs Service released by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food. The total covers shipments up to 31 July.
Wheat exports reached 1.05 million tonnes, a rise from 744,000 tonnes in the same period of the previous marketing year. Barley shipments totalled 294,000 tonnes, compared with 267,000 tonnes a year earlier. Maize exports rose sharply to 1.24 million tonnes, nearly double the 627,000 tonnes recorded at the same point last season. No rye exports were made during the reporting period.
Flour exports told a different story. Just 1,800 tonnes were shipped in the first month of the current marketing year, half the volume recorded in the equivalent period of the previous season. This suggests a shift in export composition towards raw grain rather than processed product, a pattern that may reflect buyer demand in key markets or pricing dynamics that favour unprocessed commodity shipments.
The export volumes assume particular significance given the disruption to shipping activity from Ukraine’s seaports. Vessel arrivals at Ukrainian sea ports were temporarily suspended as of 22 July due to the security situation. Daily attacks on infrastructure have made maritime export logistics increasingly challenging. The government is working with international partners to develop solutions to protect export routes.
One measure under development is an accessible financing programme for agricultural producers. Farmers who cannot sell grain at economically viable prices because of the halt in exports through the ports of Greater Odesa would be the primary beneficiaries. The programme aims to ease the financial pressure on producers while alternative logistics arrangements are put in place.
Ukraine remains one of the world’s most important grain exporters and the early season shipment data provides an initial signal to global commodity markets about supply availability. The strong maize export figure in particular will interest international buyers, as Ukraine typically competes with South American and US suppliers in key markets across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Wheat volumes also indicate healthy demand despite the logistical obstacles.
The 2026/2027 marketing year runs from July 2026 to June 2027. Export pace in the opening month often sets the tone for the full season. Last year Ukraine exported approximately 50 million tonnes of grain over the full marketing year. The July figure of 2.6 million tonnes represents a solid start, though the port access question will determine whether the pace can be maintained through the autumn months when shipment volumes usually peak.
International grain prices on benchmark exchanges have shown sensitivity to Black Sea supply developments in recent years. Any prolonged disruption to Ukraine’s export capacity tends to feed through into higher futures prices for wheat and maize. Traders are likely to monitor the next few weeks of shipment data closely for signs of sustained momentum or emerging bottlenecks.