{
  "id": 3984773,
  "title": "Food for naught: The effects of Russia's war have left its grain producers on the verge of bankruptcy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/food-for-naught-the-effects-of-russias-war-have-left-its-grain",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T14:47:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Insider",
    "slug": "the-insider",
    "url": "https://theins.press/en/society/296494"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Russia's war has left its grain producers facing the threat of bankruptcy, according to The Insider. Fuel shortages have significantly impacted farmers' ability to harvest their crops, with Kuban farmer Andrei reporting that many have only just finished harvesting in August, far later than usual. The delayed harvest, coupled with rain, has led to significant crop loss, with some farmers losing up to a third of their yield.\n\nThe fuel crisis has been exacerbated by government measures intended to address it. Farmers who rely on regular gas stations have faced purchasing limits akin to everyone else, while those with their own filling stations have been affected by these limitations. Moreover, wholesale diesel prices are currently higher than retail prices, meaning farmers buying fuel in bulk face higher costs.\n\nThe situation has led to a sharp increase in the cost of agricultural production, while domestic grain prices have collapsed due to disrupted maritime logistics in the Black and Azov seas. Farmers in Russia's Black Sea regions and in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces are now facing a double blow: collapsing grain prices and a lack of buyers for their harvest. Unprofitable harvests, coupled with the risk of birds, mice, and fires, have left many unable to afford the expense of harvesting their crops.",
  "summary": "At least five grain ships departing from Russian ports came under Ukrainian attack in mid-August, and Russia’s summer harvest is facing a crisis amid export restrictions and diesel fuel shortages. To make it through the season and pay off their debts, farmers are selling off grain at prices as low as half the cost of production. The Agriculture Ministry is looking for solutions, but experts are…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "How many Tu-95 bombers does Russia have left after Engels attack?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/how-many-tu-95-bombers-does-russia-have-left-after-engels-attack",
        "published": "2026-08-28T14:12:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euromaidan Press",
        "title": "Kyiv has been under attack for 2 days nonstop. Russia is targeting the capital’s civilian supply chains",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/kyiv-has-been-under-attack-for-2-days-nonstop-russia-is-targeting-the",
        "published": "2026-08-28T15:07:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}