The war in Ukraine has intensified a hidden conflict over grain supplies, with Russia using maritime blockades and attacks on cargo ships to exert diplomatic pressure. This grain war has disrupted global food security, particularly affecting countries heavily reliant on imports from Ukraine and Russia, which together account for more than a quarter of the world's wheat exports.
Egypt, one of the world's largest wheat importers, recently placed its first major order for European grain since May. The order, totaling five shipments from France and Romania, came as the country's strategic reserves dwindled despite a record local harvest of 10.2 million metric tons in 2026. However, the cost of wheat has surged, with prices ranging between $300 and $400 per metric ton, about $100 more than the same time in 2025.
The escalation in the grain war began in June, with Egypt particularly vulnerable as Ukraine and Russia supplied nearly 84% of its wheat imports between January and August. The conflict has the potential to devastate countries dependent on these supplies, highlighting the broader impact of the war beyond the battlefield.