Ukraine Grain Exports Plummet Amid Russian Blockade

Ukraine's agricultural sector is facing significant challenges due to Russia's blockade of sea ports. The country's deep-water ports, which handled up to 90% of grain exports, have been effectively halted since Russian missile and drone attacks began.

The shortage has resulted in a drastic decline in grain export shipments, with only 574,000 metric tons exported so far this month, down 60% from the same period last year. The state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia can transport about 1 million tons of grain a month to land borders for export and 500,000 tons to Danube ports.

However, even these routes are facing challenges due to a shortage of vessels and frequent air-raid alerts. Only nine rail wagons had been unloaded at Danube ports since midnight because air-raid alerts were in effect for most of that period.