USAID, through its Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), provided crucial grain logistics equipment to Ukrainian grain exporter Urochyshche Zhuravske, which helped prevent losses of around 20 percent in the harvest year 2024. The equipment included two 100 kW generators, a telescopic handler, bucket filler, trailer, and truck scales.

Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 severely disrupted Urochyshche Zhuravske’s operations, with port closures forcing rapid logistics pivots. The USAID-provided trailer helped solve logistical issues, bringing crops to ports without relying on rentals, saving time and enabling faster contract fulfillment. Power outages posed another significant obstacle, bringing activities to a halt, but the USAID-provided generators helped the company continue operations.

According to Igor Novytskyi, Technical Director of Urochyshche Zhuravske,

“During the wheat and rapeseed harvest season, when power outages lasted for days, the generators enabled us to process the crops on time, preventing losses of 15-20%. The generators allowed us to weigh, clean, and unload grain without interruptions.”

The truck scales provided by USAID doubled the efficiency of load processing, allowing two trucks to be weighed simultaneously, which is critical for meeting contract deadlines when speed is paramount. In addition, the USAID-provided telescopic handler with bucket fillers significantly streamlined big bag loading, accelerating goods prepared for transport and export. According to Urochyshche Zhuravske, they processed 3,400 tons of rapeseed in the fastest possible time, fulfilling export and domestic contracts.

Ultimately, thanks to the new equipment, Urochyshche Zhuravske was able to continue business and contribute to national food security during wartime.

Background

LLC “Urochyshche Zhuravske” in Cherkasy Oblast is an agricultural enterprise that has been cultivating approximately 6,000 hectares of land since 2009. The company specializes in growing grain and oilseed crops, including wheat, corn, soybeans, sunflower, and rapeseed. A team of over 90 employees manages both owned and leased lands.

Background: Assistance to agricultural producers and infrastructure companies is part of the Agriculture Resilience Initiative (AGRI) – Ukraine, implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It aims to help Ukraine increase its capacity to produce, store, transport, and export grain.

On December 11, the USAID Economic Resilience Activity’s (ERA) representatives attended the conference Doing Agribusiness in Ukraine, advancing Ukraine’s export capacity enhancement. DoAgro brings together senior business representatives, government policymakers and other industry stakeholders to promote and enhance agribusiness in Ukraine with presentations on topics such as expanding Ukrainian grain’s export potential, industry best practice, and investment needs and market opportunities.  

During the conference, ERA’s representative Tetiana Trympol, moderated a panel discussing challenges and new opportunities for agri-businesses in Ukraine. UCAB exporting members IMC, TAS Agro, AGROTRADE, Nibulon, Agro-Region,and Agrovista  shared their experiences over the last two years of doing business during the war.  

DoAgro is organized by ERA’s grantee, Ukrainian Agribusiness Club Association (UCAB). 

Agro-Region reduced the cost of transporting grain and oilseed crops by up to 30% compared to last year. This achievement was made possible by expanding its own fleet by 40 wagons. In April, the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) provided the company with 25 wagons, and Agro-Region invested its own funds to purchase an additional 15 wagons. 

According to Alexander Tymoshenko, the Commercial Director of Agro-Region, having an in-house fleet allows them to be more flexible in logistics and maintain fixed transportation costs. 

As of early December, Agro-Region had exported 58,000 tons of grain and oilseed crops. 

Previously, Agro-Region relied on renting wagons, which during peak times (such as the harvest season) led to delays and increased transportation costs. 

In 2024, USAID ERA also provided Agro-Region with 3 grain trailers, 2 generators, 2 truck scales, and 2 telescopic loaders. 

On December 3, USPA officially raised the Ukrainian flag on the second USAID-provided pilot boat, Lotsman Bolotin, symbolizing that the boat is now fully operational and ready to support seafaring operations on the Danube River. The boat will transport maritime pilots between land and inbound or outbound ships, improving logistical efficiency of cargo processing and exports. 

The new USAID-provided boat will replace the outdated pilot boat, Aldebaran, to transport maritime pilots 16% faster to arriving and departing export vessels, ultimately reducing delays, and increasing agricultural export turnover. The second pilot boat is named after Pilot Borys Bolotin (1940-2019), who dedicated his life to maritime shipping and served for over 46 years on the Danube with Delta Lotsman. 

Background: Assistance to agricultural producers and infrastructure companies is part of the Agriculture Resilience Initiative (AGRI) – Ukraine, implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It aims to help Ukraine increase its capacity to produce, store, transport, and export grain.