Black Sea Attacks Threaten Global Food Security as Grain Exports Disrupted

Russian grain exporters are warning that Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian ports and ships in the Black Sea could disrupt grain exports from the region, potentially increasing wheat prices and affecting food supplies in Africa and the Middle East.

Russia is the world's largest wheat exporter, and Ukraine is another major agricultural exporter. The two countries have been targeting each other's agricultural export facilities and commercial vessels in the Black Sea in recent weeks, raising concerns over the future of grain shipments from the region.

The Union of Grain Exporters and Producers of Russia said that disruptions to shipping in the Black Sea caused by Ukrainian attacks could pose a direct threat to global food security. According to the group, grain importers have not yet experienced shortages due to existing stocks and temporary availability of supplies from other exporters, but warned that the situation could affect many countries if disruptions continue.

The Russian grain exporters' group predicted that the reduction in Russian wheat supplies to other countries this season could reach 30-35 million metric tons, which would represent around 15% of global wheat trade. They also warned that a physical shortage of grain could lead to a prolonged global crisis and that free-on-board wheat prices could rise to between $340 and $370 per ton.