Russia's Attacks Threaten Ukraine's Grain Exports Amid Summer Harvest Chaos

Ukraine's agriculture minister Taras Vysotsky has warned that Russia's attacks on Ukrainian ports could lead to a significant shortage of grain exports this year. The minister told Reuters that grain exports via alternative routes will reach the required volume by the end of August, but these corridors can only handle half of the volumes processed by Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

The situation is critical as Ukraine's main port center, Odessa, has been under intense Russian air strikes. In July, 35 attacks were recorded on ships in ports and 22 on ships at sea, with 67 strikes on port infrastructure. As a result, shipowners have suspended sailings to ports around Odessa.

Vysotsky estimated that direct losses for Ukraine's agricultural sector could reach between $1.5 billion and $3 billion this year. The minister also warned that food prices could rise sharply, affecting consumers worldwide.