Alternative Food Transportation Routes from Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has severely disrupted traditional food export routes, intensifying food security risks, particularly in import-dependent regions such as North Africa and the Middle East. This article employs geopolitical and policy analysis as qualitative research methods to assess the feasibility and long-term sustainability of alternative food transportation routes. Geopolitical analysis examines how territorial disputes, security risks, and power dynamics influence the accessibility of trade corridors, while policy analysis evaluates the impact of EU trade regulations, infrastructure policies, and cross-border agreements on the efficiency of these alternatives. Applying a structured evaluation framework, the study compares alternative transport routes – including land-based corridors through the EU, maritime alternatives constrained by Black Sea security risks, and trans-Caspian pathways – based on four key criteria: political stability, infrastructure capacity, regulatory barriers, and economic viability. The findings confirm that while alternative routes provide short-term relief, their long-term viability depends on regulatory harmonisation, infrastructure investment, and sustained diplomatic coordination to maintain stable trade networks and mitigate future geopolitical disruptions.