Conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates, and exports are blocked, exacerbating the global food
- Author:weiyun.com
- Source:weiyun.com
- Release Date:2025-12-29
The Ukrainian Agricultural Federation (UAC) said that Russia intensified its attacks on Ukrainian ports in December, causing severe damage to its grain exports.Despite Uzbekistan's efforts to shift cargo transportation to railways, trade volumes are expected to decline significantly.
As one of the world's largest exporters of wheat and corn and a major producer of sunflower oil, Russia's sanctions and blockade of Ukraine at the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war indirectly triggered a global food crisis.
Although most exports have recovered since 2023, Russia's daily drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian port of Odessa in December this year paralyzed its export capacity.
According to UAC data
Export volume in the first 22 days of December
Far below expectations
Wheat: The actual export volume was only 375,000 tons, far lower than the contract shipment of 1 million tons this month.
Corn: Only 1.5 million tons were delivered, and the contract volume was 2 million tons.
Sunflower oil: The target is 410,000 tons, but only 275,000 tons are exported; the expected maximum output at the end of the month is 350,000 tons.
Compared with December last year, total wheat exports decreased from 2.88 million tons to 1.82 million tons.
In addition, in the weekly report released by UAC, specific export data highlighted the seriousness of war attacks.
At least one of Ukraine's three main export ports is idle or operating at only 20% capacity, and logistics routes connecting Danube ports have been disrupted.
Due to lack of export motivation, some wheat exporters defaulted on their failure to fulfill their contracts, and some shipments had to be postponed until January 2026; due to port risks, goods were diverted to rail transportation, a situation that may lead to border quota issues.
Farmland around Odessa.Source: Food News Agency
The Ukrainian Agricultural Council (UAC) said: "Russia is reducing our export potential by attacking our ports. Waterways and ports are damaged, and our exports will be significantly reduced."
Ukraine's Ministry of Economy also confirmed this downward trend, noting in particular the reduction in exports of corn and wheat.
As one of the world's largest exporters of wheat and corn and a major producer of sunflower oil, Russia's sanctions and blockade of Ukraine at the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war indirectly triggered a global food crisis.
Although most exports have recovered since 2023, Russia's daily drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian port of Odessa in December this year paralyzed its export capacity.
According to UAC data
Export volume in the first 22 days of December
Far below expectations
Wheat: The actual export volume was only 375,000 tons, far lower than the contract shipment of 1 million tons this month.
Corn: Only 1.5 million tons were delivered, and the contract volume was 2 million tons.
Sunflower oil: The target is 410,000 tons, but only 275,000 tons are exported; the expected maximum output at the end of the month is 350,000 tons.
Compared with December last year, total wheat exports decreased from 2.88 million tons to 1.82 million tons.
In addition, in the weekly report released by UAC, specific export data highlighted the seriousness of war attacks.
At least one of Ukraine's three main export ports is idle or operating at only 20% capacity, and logistics routes connecting Danube ports have been disrupted.
Due to lack of export motivation, some wheat exporters defaulted on their failure to fulfill their contracts, and some shipments had to be postponed until January 2026; due to port risks, goods were diverted to rail transportation, a situation that may lead to border quota issues.
Farmland around Odessa.Source: Food News Agency
The Ukrainian Agricultural Council (UAC) said: "Russia is reducing our export potential by attacking our ports. Waterways and ports are damaged, and our exports will be significantly reduced."
Ukraine's Ministry of Economy also confirmed this downward trend, noting in particular the reduction in exports of corn and wheat.