Vienna, 16.12.2022 – ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) has been intensively supporting Ukraine with transport and logistics services of agricultural products since March of this year. For example, between the outbreak of the war and the end of November 2022, RCG transported more than one million tonnes of grain from Ukraine to Central and Southern Europe. Information available to the RCG indicates that this makes ÖBB’s freight transport subsidiary the European leader. The volume transported per month is between 100,000 and 150,000 tonnes. Most of these transports are cereals and corn, followed by sugar and oilseed rape. The main importing countries are Hungary and Germany, followed by Italy, Romania and Austria. The volumes and flows of goods since March are illustrated in the attached chart.
Freight transport by rail is systemically important and crucial to the supply chain
Ukraine is the largest agricultural producer in Europe, which means that its agricultural exports are important for the entire continent and further afield. Rail transport has proven to be a reliable alternative even after the resumption of maritime transport, and demand remains high. Rail freight transport has proven its systemic importance for maintaining supply chain stability during numerous international crises.
GrainLane – the online marketplace for agricultural products
With the creation of GrainLane, the online marketplace for agricultural products, the RCG has made a significant contribution to reviving the overland agricultural trade, in addition to the physical transport of grain, especially during the initial phase of the Black Sea blockades. GrainLane has been connecting Ukrainian farmers with traders, consumers and logistics providers since July 2022. More than 1,000 users already trade corn, soy, wheat and other agricultural products on the platform. Interested parties can discuss details individually with providers, while GrainLane also offers the option of support in the form of transport services through the RCG’s network of partners.
Rail Cargo Group: the freight transport division of the ÖBB
As a leading rail logistics company in Europe, we are shaping the industry. 365 days a year – 24 hours a day. Across Europe and beyond into Asia. We connect people, businesses and markets – from the first to the last mile. We are present in 18 countries – in 15 of them with our own employees. It’s thanks to our 5.755 logistics professionals from 34 nations that 463,000 trains a year, respectively 1,270 a day, reach their destinations safe and sound. With our efficient end-to-end logistics services, we transport 94 million net tonnes of freight each year. A modal share of 28 % (preliminary value) of the total freight market in Austria makes us top of the league in Europe. Operational management of the Rail Cargo Group lies with Rail Cargo Austria AG.