Russia Turns to Arctic Grain Exports as Black Sea Routes Suffer

Russia has begun exporting grain through its Arctic ports for the first time as Black Sea routes falter. The Moscow Times reported that Murmansk, Russia's main ice-free port above the Arctic Circle, will ship out grain cargoes in October 2026.

The first cargo, amounting to 40,000 tons from Stavropol Krai, has already received approval from Russian Railways, which is to transport the grain more than 3,000 kilometers. Ports on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov effectively stopped operating in July and August after Ukrainian drones attacked more than 100 vessels and destroyed grain terminals.

Russian grain exports in August and September fell to their lowest level in 16 years and are running at roughly one-third of last year's pace. Wheat exports alone dropped fourfold, to 347,000 tons a week, according to calculations by the Russian Grain Union.