Russia’s seaborne grain exports drop due to ports disruption, data shows

MOSCOW: Russia’s seaborne grain exports fell by 61.9percent year-on-year in August to 2.0 million metric tons, mainly due to a decline in shipments through the Azov-Black Sea basin, according to shipping data from industry sources released on Friday.

Russia and Ukraine have sharply escalated attacks on each other’s shipping in recent weeks.

Following drone strikes, Russian authorities suspended navigation in the Sea of Azov in early July, while an August 12 attack halted loading operations at key terminals at Novorossiysk, Russia’s largest Black Sea port.

As a result, seaborne grain exports in the first two months of the 2026/27 season fell by nearly half to 4.2 million tons from 8.0 million tons in July-August of the previous season.

Exports via Azov and Black Sea ports declined by 73.1percent year-on-year in August to 1.3 million tons, the data showed. Russian grain exporters are seeking alternative routes, including Baltic ports, but capacity at Russia’s northwestern terminals remains limited.

Grain exports via the Baltic basin rose only to 276,300 tons in August, according to the data.

In the previous season, grain trans-shipment through Russia’s Azov-Black Sea ports amounted to 46.3 million tons out of total seaborne exports of 52.7 million tons, or nearly 90percent.

Shipments via the Caspian Sea, a route primarily serving Iran, increased by 13.4percent year-on-year to 311,700 tons in August, while exports through Far

East ports more than doubled to 87,000 tons.