Russia Grapples with Grain Export Crisis Amid Ukraine Conflict

Russia's agricultural sector is facing an emergency situation due to disruptions in grain exports caused by drone attacks on ports on the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. The Rostov region, which accounts for nearly 10% of Russia's grain harvest, has seen shipments cease since mid-July.

According to Arkady Zlochevsky, president of the Russian Grain Union, the situation for farmers is 'very bad' with shipments in the Azov basin completely halted. The SovEcon analytical center estimates that over 80% of Russia's grain export capacity has been paralyzed due to port issues.

The crisis has led to a significant drop in wheat exports from Russia, falling to 1.9 million metric tons in August - the lowest level in 16 years. This is compared to August 2025 when volumes dropped by a factor of 2.3 and to the average over the past five years when volumes fell by a factor of 2.6.

The Russian Ministry of Agriculture is preparing for state grain purchases and exploring alternative export routes, including ports on the Arctic Ocean. However, industry representatives believe that there is currently no full-fledged replacement for the Black Sea routes.