MOSCOW: Russian companies have resumed grain exports to Iran, its third-largest grain buyer, through the Caspian Sea after a pause caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran, four sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.
The route has been emerging as the safest for trade with Iran following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Russian grain exports destined for Iran from both the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea were halted last week. One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, estimated that the pause in the latter lasted about two days.
All three sources indicated that deliveries from Black Sea terminals to the Gulf remain suspended.
LSEG data show five ships being loaded with grain at the port of Astrakhan, totalling around 22,600 metric tons. Additionally, nine ships carrying 28,000 tons of grain are waiting to unload off the coast of Iran.
Analysts at grain rail carrier Rusagrotrans said that Iran imported nearly 6 million tons of grain from Russia between July and February, about double year-ago levels. They also calculated that Russian exporters have shipped 1.9 million tons of wheat to Iran, out of a planned 2.0 million to 2.2 million tons.
Russia, the world’s largest grain exporter, has been enhancing Caspian Sea export logistics in recent years, targeting markets in Iran, Gulf countries, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
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