Current State and Prospects of Grain Logistics Development in Ukraine

Abstract

Considering the lack of elevator capacities and the imbalance in the distribution of commodity flows due to the occupation and blocking of seaports, other modes of transport are currently unable to provide the required volumes of grain for export, and the safety of the harvest is under threat. Therefore, the issue of logistics development in war conditions is urgent, which determines the relevance of the study. The purpose of the study is to analyse the pre-war and current state of the grain logistics system and to identify efficient ways of its development during the war and after its end. The study is based on the following methods: dialectical, historical, monographic, abstract-logical, systematic and classification, analytical forecasting, statistical, economic, economic-mathematical, and graphical. Investigated the length of roads in Ukraine and forecasted the reduction of roads due to military operations. The analysis of exportimport logistics was performed, and the advantages of maritime transport were determined, the share of which in exports was 99.5%, and in imports, the majority of transportation was by rail (44.9%). The state of elevator capacities was explored, the lack of which in 2021 amounted to 18.3 million tons (17.4%), the volume of their losses due to hostilities in 2022 was determined – 12.6 million tons (22.2%), the impact of the war on the growth of prices for grain storage services was analysed. A critical analysis of the infrastructure projects of the National Council for the Restoration of Ukraine from the Consequences of the War is performed and identified their disadvantages. The proposed measures to improve logistics will allow for reducing the lack of elevator capacities, increasing grain exports, accelerating the movement of products across the border and reducing logistics costs. The results of the research can be used by public authorities in the establishment of programs for the development of agrarian logistics, business structures – for the development of infrastructure projects and improvement of logistics systems of enterprises, scientists – for further investigation of grain logistics problems and determining the prospects for its development.