Russia Grapples with Grain Surplus as Black Sea Exports Disrupted

Russia is facing a growing grain surplus due to disruptions in Black Sea exports, which have left farmers struggling to move their harvest abroad. The country's agricultural sector is under pressure as attacks linked to the war in Ukraine continue to disrupt grain shipments through the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.

Farmers and analysts said that measures announced by the Russian government are unlikely to solve the problem, with the export duty being suspended until the end of the year. The disruption has raised concerns among major buyers, particularly in the Middle East, while increasing the amount of grain available on Russia's domestic market.

The Russian Grain Union's Arkady Zlochevsky said that alternative routes through the Baltic, Caspian and Far Eastern ports would not make up for the lost southern shipments. He described the situation as potentially catastrophic for the Russian grain sector if exports remain disrupted until the end of the year.