Europe’s railways help move Ukraine’s grain

Bruxelles - Ukraine’s railways have been vital to the country’s war effort since the Russian invasion in February, moving refugees west, away from the fighting, and taking troops and equipment east to the battlefront. In addition, national rail company Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) has been trying to help keep the country’s economy running by enabling exports by rail.

In particular, UZ has taken on a much greater role in handling the country’s grain harvest, moving it to European ports for export with assistance from a number of European nations. To do this, old rail lines have been re-opened across international borders, and new equipment or methods of operation have been required.

Naval blockade prompts move to railways Pre-war, Ukraine was one of the world’s biggest producers of grain and cereals, producing around 45 million tons annually. Much of this was exported, but mostly by ship. The Russian invasion in February led to the closure of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, as the Russian Navy began a blockade of those ports, and Ukraine retaliated by mining the sea to deter Russian warships. With the ports closed, most of Ukraine’s 2021 harvest of grain and corn was held in silos and could not be exported, leading to a rapid rise in food prices in many parts of the world.

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