In the heart of Ukraine, amid the ongoing conflict, a dynamic shift is occurring in the agricultural sector. Rail cars thunder with grain, and trucks navigate around storage facilities in central Ukraine, marking a significant change in how the nation exports its food to a world grappling with hunger.

After Russia withdrew from a U.N. brokered agreement this summer, which ensured safe passage of Ukrainian food during the war, Ukraine has forged a new path. The country has launched a nascent shipping corridor, safeguarded by its military, to ease the burden on overfilled silos and reinvigorate exports through the Black Sea.

Roman Andreikiv, the general director of a central facility, noted the challenges since the end of the grain deal in July. The new corridor has enabled them to clear warehouse space and ramp up operations.

As more ships navigate towards Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, laden with grain, metals, and other cargo, the threat of attacks and floating mines looms. Yet, this hasn’t deterred the movement. This resurgence is vital not only for Ukraine’s agriculture dependent economy but also for regions like Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where food insecurity is escalating.

Munro Anderson, head of operations for Vessel Protect, acknowledges the growing confidence among commercial operators in transporting Ukrainian grain cargoes. This sentiment is echoed by Ihor Osmachko, general director of Agroprosperis Group, one of Ukraine’s largest agricultural producers and exporters, who expresses a renewed sense of optimism.

Despite the termination of the U.N. agreement and subsequent attacks by Russia on Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, the country has managed to export over 5.6 million metric tons of grain and other products through the new corridor, as stated by U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink.

The reality on the ground is complex. Farmers like those at Slavhorod, operating near the Russian border, face daily shelling and low grain prices. They have chosen to store their produce, including peas, wheat, soybeans, and corn, in warehouses rather than risk transporting them to frequently attacked ports like Odesa.

This year, the mood among farmers is somber due to the risks and low grain prices, but there’s a flicker of hope. A new insurance program aims to provide affordable coverage for shippers from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. A humanitarian program has also been extended, with Ukraine donating grain to nations facing food shortages, including Nigeria.

Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi remains cautiously optimistic about the future of the new shipping corridor. The goal is to export at least 6 million metric tons of grain a month, a challenging yet vital target for a nation determined to overcome adversity and contribute to global food security.