Russia's Grain Export Capacity Hit Hard by Azov-Black Sea Port Restrictions

Russia's grain export capacity has been severely impacted by restrictions on its Azov-Black Sea ports, which handled nearly 90% of the country's seaborne grain exports last season.

According to UkrAgroConsult, even under favorable conditions, alternative routes could replace no more than half of the lost volumes. The Baltic route has been a major beneficiary, with over 5 million tons of rail applications for grain shipments to northwestern ports by mid-August.

The Baltic route's capacity is limited, however, with estimates ranging from 1.2-2.4 million to 5-7 million tons per year. Additional volumes could be shipped through the Baltic states, potentially rising to 10 million tons if Estonian terminals are actively used.