The UAC, a farmers' union, said that the high grain moisture content combined with logistical problems caused by Russian attacks in Black Sea ports has led to a reduction in Ukraine's corn imports in Black Sea ports. This may happen again in December.

Ukraine is one Europe's largest corn exporters and growers. Rains delayed harvesting in many regions this year. The corn harvested was also saturated and needed additional drying.

Ukraine is expecting to harvest 30 million tons of corn by 2025.

UAC's Weekly Report stated that Ukraine has exported 1.3 millions tons of corn in November compared to 2.5 million tons in 2024.

The traders say they will export 1,85 million tons of corn this December, compared to 2.6 million tons the previous year.

UAC stated that "there was a harvesting problem, then a drying problem, and now, there is a transporting problem of the corn to ports."

The union claimed that Russian attacks on Ukrainian rails, locomotives, and power substations have led to a shortage in locomotives. This has also significantly increased the time taken to transport corn to ports.

The time it takes to deliver grain to seaports in central Ukraine has increased by up to six weeks.

The Ukrainian economy ministry announced on Tuesday that the country has exported 3,12 million tons so far in 2025/26, compared to almost 7 million tons during the previous season. (Reporting and editing by Mark Heinrich; reporting by Pavel Polityuk)

(source: Reuters)