Agricultural business already pays more for rail transportation today than other shippers. Moreover, "Ukrzaliznytsia" plans to raise tariffs starting August 1. The Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC) considers such an approach unfair and calls on the government to reconsider the relevant decision.

This was stated by the Deputy Chairman of the UAC, Denys Marchuk.

"The railway plans to raise transportation tariffs by classes of cargo. For agribusiness, they will increase by 30%. Farmers today are in unequal conditions; they pay the most for rail transportation. At the same time, there are classes of goods that are effectively subsidized by the state. For example, builders and metallurgists pay less for freight transportation. Under these conditions, the UAC has appealed to the government with a proposal to provide for the possibility of reviewing the tariff increase for farmers. If the government agrees to the increase, this will become a serious blow to agricultural logistics," Denys Marchuk emphasized.

At the same time, the Deputy Chairman of the UAC stressed that the stable operation of the railway industry is possible only after the implementation of structural reforms that meet European requirements.

"On the whole, the railway transportation industry needs reforming. First of all — the separation of transportation between passenger and freight, because freight transportation subsidizes passenger transportation. And this is not just a whim of an association or business. These are EU directives that need to be complied with. Therefore, the reform of 'Ukrzaliznytsia' must precede any decisions on reviewing tariffs," Denys Marchuk believes.