Rail shipments of agricultural cargo in Russia are being hit by delays, refusals to approve applications, and the cancellation of previously issued permits. With the rail network overloaded, exporters are facing rising transport costs and difficulties shipping their goods.
This is reported by Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
In October, the rental price for container flatcars rose by 26% – to 1,600 roubles per day, while grain transport in hopper wagons to Baltic ports increased by 25%.
The cost of a container jumped by 57.4% – from 270,000 to 425,000 roubles. On some routes, platform rental reaches 5,000 roubles per day.
According to intelligence data, from July 2026 shipments via ports in the Azov–Black Sea basin fell sharply. Exporters began redirecting cargo to Baltic Sea and Far Eastern ports, but the railways are unable to cope with the increased load.
In August, exports through the main checkpoints in north-west Russia rose by 18.8%. Grain shipments increased sixfold, ferrous metals by 91.6%, and coal by 56.7%. The number of transport applications exceeds the railways’ capacity.
Because of the delays, wagons are left standing while awaiting movement and unloading permits. Cargo is not accepted even under previously approved applications. As a result, wagons are piling up at loading points, and there is a shortage of available rolling stock.
Complaints about transport problems are coming not only from agricultural companies, but also from firms in the oil, metallurgical and chemical sectors.
Road haulage cannot fully replace rail, as on a tonne-kilometre basis it is 2.5–3 times more expensive.
Rising transport costs are reducing export profitability. Grain that cannot be shipped out remains on the domestic market. Excess supply is putting pressure on purchase prices and cutting farmers’ incomes.