The planned increase in freight tariffs of Ukrzaliznytsia by 30% will cost the Ukrainian agricultural sector hundreds of millions of dollars in additional expenses. This will most affect grain producers, for whom logistics is one of the key cost components..

This was stated by KSE analyst of the Agrocenter of the Kyiv School of Economics Pavel Martyshev, writes the Agronews portal.

The portal also launched a vote on the new tariffs of Ukrzaliznytsia, and the majority (80% of respondents) agreed that the new increase will fall entirely on the shoulders of farmers: they will buy grain cheaper, and fertilizers and fuel will become more expensive.

The expert agrees with the results of the survey: according to him, various market participants currently estimate the additional load at the level of $4.6 to $7 for each ton of grain. In particular, the Kernel agricultural holding estimates additional costs at approximately $4.6 per ton, while the Ukrainian Agricultural Business Club talks about $5–7.

Martyshev explained that this difference in estimates is due to different calculation methodology. In some cases, not only direct transportation tariffs are taken into account, but also costs associated with idle time of wagons, transportation of half-empty trains and the peculiarities of logistics routes to various ports.

At the same time, according to him, we can already talk about an increase in transport costs by several dollars per ton of product, although the final effect will depend on the parameters of tariff reform.

Producers of grain crops, primarily wheat and corn, remain the most vulnerable to changes in the cost of railway logistics.

It is for these goods that transport costs significantly affect the competitiveness of Ukrainian exports, and it is for them that the new rise in price will cost the most.

Earlier, Ukrainian industrial, transport and industry associations appealed to Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko and the head of the Presidential Office Kirill Budanov with an appeal to prevent an unreasonable increase in Ukrzaliznytsia's freight tariffs in 2026: they reported that an increase of 30% would lead to a loss of UAH 96 billion of GDP per year, reducing the freight base of Ukrzaliznytsia by.