A new platform called Grain Lane was launched to bring together Ukrainian farmers and European logistics providers. The app, launched by the European Commission together with V_labs and Rail Cargo Group, should optimize grain exports from Ukraine to EU member states, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.

The export of agricultural products, mostly grain from Ukraine to the EU is currently hampered due to the blockage of Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea. Sea shipping used to account for the bulk of the export volumes. Now that this is no longer possible, trade lanes are sought overland, and for this, every help is welcome.

Matchmaking

The European Commission has actively helped searching for new synergies within the industry and has now turned to the digital world to speed up this process. In partnership with a rail operator (RailCargo Group), and innovation specialist, a new app was born.

The platform will place both trade and transport requests. Representatives of European logistics will be able to resolve organisational issues with Ukrainian partners. The latter will be able to find partners for the export of their products in a few clicks, as well as new logistics solutions. The platform is available at the link in English and German.

Update current situation

The opening of the port of Odessa for the export of grain is still under negotiation. Turkey proposed on Wednesday that a safe sea corridor could be established in areas without mines under a U.N. proposal. Ships would then be directed around the mines, as de-mining is not an option for both Ukraine and Russia. Ankara was still awaiting Moscow’s reaction to the plan, he said.

In the meantime, grain has been exported via various land routes, such as the route through Poland to the Baltic Sea, as well as via Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Turkey. However, the capacity of these routes is limited. The grain lane via Belarus to the Baltic Sea would be much more meaningful, but this option has been rejected by Ukraine, as it does not want to collaborate with Belarus.

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• Rail remains Ukraine’s export option after failure to re-open ports
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