Russia’s military assault on Ukraine may have stalled in the Donbas, but its ability to prevent millions of tonnes of grain from leaving Black Sea ports is proving far more successful, with ominous consequences for Kyiv and the global food crisis.
A de facto naval blockade means that Ukraine, traditionally one of the world’s top crop producers, has for months been unable to export most of the 20mn tonnes of grain stored in its silos. This has helped push prices to record highs and left 100mn more people unable to meet their food needs, according to the IMF.
With the grain stores full to bursting, it also means there is little space to keep the coming harvest and even less incentive for farmers to sow next year’s crop.