Rīgas Universālais Termināls (Riga Universal Terminal, RUT) has received and unloaded the first container train with Ukrainian agricultural products delivered to the Freeport of Riga by SIA LDZ Cargo, a subsidiary of VAS Latvijas dzelzceļš.
Approximately 3,300 wagons with grain were found waiting for unloading at Ukrainian sea ports on October 12. Taking into account that approximately 417 wagons per day are accepted at the stations, it will take about 8 days to serve all the wagons currently standing in the railway network waiting for unloading at port terminals.
Almost 504,000 tonnes of grain were exported from Ukraine by railways during the period started October 1 and ended October 11 compared with 1.07 million t during entire September.
The cargo turnover surged by 30% month-on-month at the Freeport of Riga in September compared with August.
From July to September, LTG Cargo Ukraine (a subsidiary of Lietuvos geležinkeliai (LTG Cargo)) transported 128 different wagons between Ukraine and Lithuania. In particular, the transportation of goods in grain hoppers involved cooperation between operators from Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania – Ukrzaliznytsia, PKP Cargo, PKP LHS, and LTG Cargo.
U.S. wheat prices have declined due to large global supplies and increased U.S. production estimates. Players have reported higher buying interest in wheat of various origins from Asian importers as world supplies are expected to tighten and prices are projected to rise in the coming months due to lower production in Australia and Argentina.
Prices for Kazakh wheat are growing, which reduces the interest of major importers in signing new deals. This year’s harvest problems remain the key reason for the upturn.
Grain export quotes have shown a noticeable drop on the Russian market. Pressure on prices came from slow trade caused by heavy crop and high export potential this season. According to country’s Agriculture Ministry, the gross grain harvest may reach 135 million t including 90 million t of wheat
A total of 12,200 wagons were waiting for unloading at Ukraine’s western land border crossing points on October 11, down 796 wagons compared with September 30.
During a meeting of Ukrainian, Romanian, and Moldovan railroaders, Valerii Tkachev, Director of the Commercial Department of Ukrzaliznytsia JSC, said that discounts on tariffs for the transportation of Ukrainian agricultural products have not yet been introduced.