Port shelling sharply reduces wheat export prices in Ukraine

Constant attacks by Russian drones on the port infrastructure of the Odessa region have already paralyzed the work of port terminals, which, due to the lack of electricity and frequent alarms, have practically stopped the reception and unloading of grain. This increases the cost of vessel downtime and forces traders to abandon new purchases and ship loading.

 

Export purchase prices for wheat in Ukraine decreased by another $4-5/t to $210-214/t or UAH 10,000-10,200/t for food wheat and $204-205/t or UAH 9,800-9,900/t for feed wheat with delivery to Black Sea ports. Many traders have stopped purchases altogether in anticipation of improved logistics.

 

Wheat exports from Ukraine in the 2025/26 MY (as of December 17) amounted to 7.61 million tons, which is 20.5% lower than last year's pace (9.175 million tons).

 

Wheat quotes on world exchanges rose slightly on fears of supply disruptions from the Black Sea region, although soft wheat prices in Chicago remain under pressure from increasing global supply.

 

During the week, March wheat futures rose:

• by 1.8% to $191.5/t - for HRW wheat in Kansas City (unchanged for the month),
• by 1.8% to $213.1/t - for HRS wheat in Minneapolis (+1%),
• by 0.3% to €188.25/t or $221.7/t - for wheat on the Euronext exchange in Paris (-2%).

At the same time, SRW wheat futures in Chicago fell by 1% to $189.4/t (-3.8% for the month).

 

High rates of wheat exports from the US failed to significantly support quotes.

 

Wheat exports from the US during December 11-18 increased by 28% compared to the previous week to 627.4 thousand tons, and in total in the 2025/26 MY amounted to 14.75 million tons, which is 22.9% ahead of last year's pace.

 

Export demand for wheat in Ukraine will continue to decline as buyers will actively purchase new crops from Argentina and Australia. Therefore, farmers should postpone sales to spring, hoping that logistics will improve and demand will recover.