#Black Sea Ports

In August 2026, steel and rolled metal production in Ukraine fell by roughly half due to strikes on plants and the blockade of Black Sea ports. Experts propose stabilizing Ukrzaliznytsia tariffs and deferring CBAM.

Ukrainian metallurgy is going through a deep crisis: after the strikes, Zaporizhstal, Kametstal and ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih have been shut down, steel production fell by 57.3% in August, and new EU quotas could cut exports by 60%. The industry, which accounts for 40% of the railway's and the ports' workload, has found itself "on the brink of survival".

In August 2026, exports of steel semi-finished products from Ukraine plummeted by 76% month-on-month, while shipments of merchant pig iron were completely halted due to the blockade of the Black Sea ports.

Metinvest's Chief Operating Officer Alexander Myronenko called for not raising UZ freight tariffs amid the port blockade and proposed creating a "Railway Ramstein" mechanism.

The blockade of the ports of Greater Odesa puts up to $2 billion of Ukraine's export revenue at risk monthly. The NBU estimates second-half 2026 losses at $2.5 billion, while the agricultural sector risks losing up to 16 million tonnes of produce over six months.

Economic expert Andriy Zablovskyi called for launching a comprehensive "industrial Ramstein" program to support Ukrainian industry amid the war and European restrictions.

The Governor of Rostov Region has declared a state of emergency after Azov and Black Sea grain ports were shut down following drone attacks. Wheat exports in August fell to 1.9 million tonnes — a 16-year low — with more than 80% of grain export capacity paralyzed.

Ukrainian metallurgy is losing up to $200 million in export revenue every month: strikes on plants, closed ports, rising rail tariffs and EU quotas are hitting the industry simultaneously.

Ukraine's Ministry of Agrarian Policy has warned of a risk of reducing sown areas by 5–7 million hectares due to a shortage of grain storage and working capital. The UN and the EU are preparing support for the agri-sector.

The Russian blockade of Black Sea ports threatens the 2027 planting campaign: Ukrainian farmers will not be able to finance spring work, risking a reduction in production by 12 million tons of grain and a blow to global food markets.

📉 Iron ore exports from Ukraine plummeted by 27.3% in the first 7 months of 2026. The cause was a 'triple blow': new EU duties, the CBAM environmental tax, and the blockade of ports by Russia. The tragedy with the bulk carrier 'Golden Leo' finally undermined the confidence of shipping companies. Experts predict the shutdown of 50% of industry enterprises. #Economy #Ukraine #Metallurgy

Ukraine aims to maintain grain export levels at last season's rate despite port attacks. About a third of capacity has already been lost, but authorities promise to do everything possible to protect logistics. 🌾🚢