Russia Shifts Grain Exports to Baltic Ports Amid Black Sea Disruptions

Russian grain exporters are shifting their focus to Baltic Sea ports due to increased drone attacks in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, according to a report by Reuters. The Port of Novorossiysk, a key Russian grain export hub, suspended operations at its three grain terminals after a series of drone strikes in early August.

In response, Russia is turning to its Baltic ports, which have a combined annual grain capacity of up to 7 million tonnes. These include terminals at Vysotsk and Ust-Luga, as well as ports in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad.

Industry data shows that requests for rail shipments of grain to Russia's Baltic ports for the current season reached 5 million tonnes by August 18, mainly for delivery in August and September.

This compares with 6 million tonnes for the Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse. Arkady Zlochevskiy, head of the Russian Grain Union, said that Russian exports through the Baltic states could reach between 5 million and 6 million tonnes this season, or even 10 million tonnes if Estonian ports become available.