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Reuters: Ukrainian attacks are pushing Russian grain out of the Black Sea and into the Baltic

Source: Reuters

Russian grain exporters have begun rerouting shipments from the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the Baltic Sea amid Ukrainian attacks on vessels and port infrastructure, according to Reuters.

In the last export season, from July 2025 to June 2026, Russia shipped 46.3 million tons of grain through its Black Sea and Azov ports — 90% of its seaborne exports. Its Baltic ports handled about 1 million tons.

But by August 18, rail booking requests for grain shipments to Russian Baltic ports this season had already reached 5 million tons, an industry source told Reuters, against 6 million tons for the Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse.

Russian exporters are increasingly looking to ports in the Baltic states, mainly Latvia. Russia’s Grain Union estimates exports through those ports could hit 5–6 million tons this season, or 10 million if Estonia opens up.

Strikes by the Ukrainian military have knocked out more than 80% of Russia’s grain export capacity. In August, wheat exports came to just 1.9 million tons, according to expert estimates — the lowest level in 16 years.

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