Ukraine's Grain Exports at Risk as Russian Attacks Halt Ship Traffic

Russian attacks on Ukraine's seaports have halted ship traffic and put its grain exports at risk, said Taras Vysotskyi, Ukraine's minister of agrarian policy and food.

The attacks, which began in July, have resulted in over 90% of Ukraine's grain exports being unable to move through the ports, causing significant logistical challenges and increased costs for shipping grain from Ukraine.

In July alone, Russia carried out 124 attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure and civilian ships, with 35 of those attacks occurring on vessels at sea. The attacks have continued in August, targeting rail lines in Odesa Oblast and striking a bridge at Maiaky on the M-15 highway.

The blockade has pushed domestic wheat prices down to 3,000 hryvnias per metric ton, compared with production costs of 5,000 hryvnias per metric ton. Ukraine could lose more than $2 billion in the second half of 2026 if sea exports remain suspended.