Ukraine is facing a shortage of grain trucks as demand for road transport exceeds available capacity, particularly in Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, Sumy, Chernihiv and Odesa regions, according to GrainTrade on 16 October 2026.
During the reported week, significant volumes moved from Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad towards Izmail, while grain from Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv and Kharkiv was transported to the Danube ports of Reni, Izmail and Orlivka. Transport availability remains more balanced in Vinnytsia, Lviv, Khmelnytskyi and Kyiv, while supply reportedly exceeds demand in Dnipropetrovsk.
Road freight costs vary sharply by distance and origin. Rates reached UAH 3,000/t for 501–600 km routes, UAH 3,700/t for 601–700 km, and more than UAH 4,000/t for journeys exceeding 900 km. Front-line origins command additional premiums because of security risks and operational difficulties.
The tightening truck supply could increase delivered costs for Ukrainian grain and complicate export flows to Danube terminals, particularly when volumes are concentrated in southern and eastern regions. Availability and freight rates therefore remain important considerations for exporters and inland buyers.