Russia Shifts Grain Exports to Baltic Sea Ports Amid Black Sea Risks

Russia, the world's top wheat exporter, is enhancing its Baltic Sea ports to diminish reliance on Black Sea routes amid Ukraine conflict disruptions. The country aims to increase agricultural exports by 50% by 2030, targeting new markets in Latin America and Africa, with major port developments in Vysotsky and Lugaport.

Russia, the world's leading wheat exporter, is expanding its Baltic Sea ports to increase agricultural exports by 50% by 2030 while reducing its dependence on traditional Black Sea routes, officials and executives have announced.

The country exported at least 72 million metric tons of grain during the 2023/24 season and is looking to diversify its markets to Latin America and Africa, away from its traditional grain-dependents in North Africa and the Middle East. For decades, Russia relied on its Black Sea ports for burgeoning agricultural exports, but ongoing conflict with Ukraine has rendered the area perilous for shipping, with frequent strikes on each other's facilities and infrastructure.

Ksenia Bolomatova, deputy head of the state-controlled agricultural conglomerate OZK, stated, "Last year's record harvest exposed our insufficient loading capacity for exports." In the past 18 months, Russia has launched Vysotsky and Lugaport ports in the Gulf of Finland, near St. Petersburg. Vysotsky started grain shipments in April 2023, and Lugaport began operations this June, with an expected combined capacity of 15 million tons by early 2025.

(With inputs from agencies.)