Russia's Black Sea Blockade Threatens Ukraine's Harvest

Ukrainian farmer Serhiy Rybalko lost two-thirds of his land when Russia occupied southern Ukraine in 2022.

Rybalko is now facing a different kind of trouble as a potentially good harvest is threatened by Russian attacks on the Black Sea ports, which have almost halted agricultural exports from Ukraine.

Ukraine produces around 6% of the world's wheat and 11% of its corn, and 90% of these crops are exported through the Black Sea.

Rybalko's grain storage is nearly full, and the Ukrainian corn harvest is set to start next month. 'There is nowhere to send this grain,' he said. 'This is a complete disaster for farmers.'