Grain exports stall as Ukraine steps up attacks on Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin justified annexing Crimea in 2014 by claiming it was necessary to prevent NATO forces from controlling Crimea and Sevastopol, the site of Russia's largest naval base. However, recent Ukrainian attacks on Russia's largest commercial Black Sea port, Novorossiysk, have significantly disrupted oil and grain shipments.

With Ukraine's advanced naval capabilities, the Russian navy no longer holds dominance in the region, making it challenging for Russia to reorganize logistics effectively. If the attacks persist, experts warn that the consequences could be severe for Russian exporters and the national budget. Novorossiysk, a major port since the 19th century, handles a third of Russia's grain exports and plays a crucial role in Russia's agricultural exports.

Ukrainian drone strikes have forced the shutdown of several grain terminals, including the Novorossiysk Bread Products Plant and the Novorossiysk grain terminal. The impact is not limited to grain; crude oil exports are also experiencing disruptions, with the main oil export facility, the Sheskharis terminal, halting loadings for a brief period.

This comes as Russia is projected to export around 45 million metric tons of wheat in the next two years, but the Black Sea blockade will make it difficult to meet global demand. Experts estimate that many Russian producers may struggle to survive the season due to the standstill in exports. The situation will also affect the global market, as Russia is the world's largest wheat exporter.

Ukrainian attacks on ports and ships have further exacerbated the issue, with Russian grain exports from the Black Sea falling by 30% in the first two weeks of August. While some alternative routes, such as the Baltic ports, are being considered, the lack of available capacity makes it challenging to fully replace the lost volumes from Novorossiysk.