Over the past year, Ukraine's temporary sea route has proven to be a vital lifeline for the country's agricultural exports. According to the Ministry of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure, 2,379 vessels have transported Ukrainian goods to 46 countries, with a total freight turnover of 64.4 million tons. Of this, 43.5 million tons were agricultural products, highlighting the significance of this route for Ukraine's farming industry.
The ongoing security challenges posed by systematic Russian shelling have not deterred the operation of this corridor. Ukraine's Security and Defense Forces have maintained the safety of civilian vessels navigating this route. Additionally, two main risk insurance tools have been established for shipowners transporting goods to or from Ukrainian seaports, further stabilizing the export process.
Notably, since March 15, 2024, the corridor passing through the ports of Greater Odesa has been operating around the clock, resulting in a 20% increase in the export of agricultural and other products. According to Taras Vysotskyi, Acting Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the value of agricultural products exported via this sea corridor is approximately $9 billion.
Vysotskyi also mentioned that around 70% of Ukraine's agricultural exports are now channeled through this corridor, a figure that remains close to pre-war levels. This achievement underscores the resilience of Ukraine's agricultural sector and its critical role in global food supply chains.
