TRUCK
After a slowdown at the beginning of the month, agricultural exports by road transport are beginning to show positive momentum. In the first 19 days of May, volumes increased by 2.1% to 191.4 thousand tonnes compared to the same period in April. Export volumes grew at almost all border crossing points.
The largest increase was recorded in the Moldovan direction, where volumes rose by 11.4% to 33.7 thousand tonnes. Exports through the Romanian and Slovak border crossings increased by 2.4% and 1.4%, reaching 46.9 thousand tonnes and 10.2 thousand tonnes, respectively. At the Polish border, export volumes remained virtually unchanged compared to April, totaling 77.6 thousand tonnes.
The only decline was seen on the Hungarian route, where agri-exports fell by 3.8% to 22.9 thousand tonnes.
The main export commodities during the reporting period were sugar (22.3 thousand tonnes) and sunflower oil (21.1 thousand tonnes).
Domestic road freight rates within Ukraine increased by $1–2 per tonne, while transportation costs on European routes decreased by €5–8 per tonne, depending on the direction.
Market rates for dump trucks within Ukraine:
- Cntr. Ukraine – Danube ports @35-44$
- Cntr. Ukraine – Odesa ports @25-28$
Market rates for dump trucks to Europe:
- Ternopil region – Cntr. / N. Italy @105-132€
- Ternopil region – Cntr. Bulgaria @75-105€
- Cntr. Ukraine – S. Romania @107-117€
Market rates for tents trucks to Europe:
- Ternopil region – Cntr. / N. Italy @80-115€
- Ternopil region – Cntr. Bulgaria @67-80€
- Cntr. Ukraine – S. Romania @73-90€
RAIL
Rail tariffs for grain transportation within Ukraine have remained stable, enabling freight operators to plan train schedules and wagon loading for June with greater confidence and without the risk of unforeseen expenses. Logistics companies are actively coordinating timetables and forecasting export and transshipment volumes at terminals to prevent idle time and ensure timely cargo delivery.
However, a recent decision by Ukrzaliznytsia to raise rates for container shipments exceeding 26 tonnes has sparked concern among foreign investors. The Polish company Laude Smart Intermodal, which has invested around €300 million into Ukraine’s transport infrastructure, addressed a formal letter to the Ministry of Economy, warning of potential trade conflicts and the risk of the project losing its economic viability.
Laude Smart Intermodal argues that the increased tariffs will have a detrimental effect: market players may begin abandoning rail container services in favor of road transport. This modal shift would lead to heavier pressure on road infrastructure, faster deterioration of highways, and a setback in the progress toward more environmentally friendly and safer freight solutions.
In this context, the proposed tariff hike for heavy container rail shipments threatens to undermine investment, destabilize the freight transport market, and negatively impact both infrastructure sustainability and environmental performance.
Market rates within Ukraine:
- Zhytomyr region
– border @18-22$
– port @20-24$
- Chernihiv region
– border @19-23$
– port @21-24$
- Cherkasy region
– border @20-25$
– port @17-23$
- Ternopil region
– border @13-15$
– port @18-25$
Market rates to Europe:
- Chop – Northeast Italy @39-40€
- Dorohusk – NW. Germany @38-43€
- Dorohusk – W. Netherlands @40-49€
WATER
Freight rates for seaborne shipments from the ports of Greater Odesa and the Danube remained unchanged over the past week. From Chornomorsk to Spain, handysize vessel rates range between $18–20 per tonne, while shipments to Italy are priced at $16–17 per tonne. The cost of coaster deliveries from Izmail to Italy remains steady at $29–30 per tonne.
Demand for cargo transportation remains weak, and the oversupply of available tonnage leaves no grounds for rate adjustments.
Market rates for coasters:
- Izmail – Romania (1-3k mt) @8-9€
- Izmail – Italy (5-7k mt) @29-30$
Market rates for handy:
- Chornomorsk – Italy (30-35k mt) @16-17$
- Chornomorsk – Spain (25-30k mt) @18-20$