Ukraine loses one-third of Black Sea grain export capacity, Reuters says

Ukraine has lost around one-third of its grain export capacity through its key Black Sea ports due to intensified Russian attacks.

Source: Reuters, citing its own sources and a report by the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC)

Details: Exports of agricultural products, including grain and vegetable oils, remain Ukraine's largest source of foreign currency earnings, with more than 90% of these exports shipped through three ports in the southern part of Odesa Oblast.

Previously, Odesa's ports handled around 6 million tonnes of cargo per month. However, following intensified Russian strikes on Black Sea ports, that figure has fallen to about 4 million tonnes.

"Russia has begun systematically striking port infrastructure, terminals and the ​entire transport logistics chain, using ballistic missiles again and again," the trading department of the UAC said in a weekly report.

"On average, we can now ship about 4 million tonnes of grain a month," the report added.

Data from Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) also show that the number of rail wagons carrying grain to Odesa's ports fell by 11% in the week from 2 to 8 July compared with the previous week, while exports declined by 17%.

In addition, four of the 13 major grain terminals at those ports have suspended grain purchases.

Background: Ukraine's largest grain producer and exporter, Kernel, has been forced to suspend operations at its terminal facilities at the seaport of Chornomorsk due to Russian attacks.

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