Russian grain exports drop 37% in July following Black Sea disruptions

Wheat export volumes fell to 1.8 million metric tons, down 17.7% from nearly 2.2 million metric tons exported in the same month in 2025. Corn shipments plummeted to 146,300 metric tons from 521,400 metric tons a year earlier (a 3.5-fold decrease), while barley exports plunged to 101,400 metric tons from 567,000 metric tons (a 5.6-fold decrease).

"The main factor behind the decline in these figures was the tense situation in the Azov-Black Sea region," stated Elena Tyurina, director of the analytical department at the Russian Grain Union.

The Russian Ministry of Transport established a specialized operational headquarters to coordinate cargo transportation in the Azov-Black Sea basin "due to the tense situation in the waters of the Sea of Azov."

Russian wheat was exported to 23 countries in July 2026, compared to 27 destinations in July of the previous year. Egypt remained the largest buyer, though shipment volumes to the country fell by 31.7% to 344,000 metric tons.

However, despite the overall decline, export volumes to several African nations grew: shipments to Kenya nearly doubled to 194,500 metric tons, while deliveries to Sudan rose by one-third to 177,000 metric tons. Grain shipments were also delivered to Tanzania (102,000 metric tons), which received no Russian grain last year.

Wheat exports to the UAE reached 79,400 metric tons, marking a 28% increase.

The number of Russian companies exporting wheat dropped to 20 in July, down from 36 in July 2025.

Tyurina also reported that grain and leguminous crops were exported through 21 ports in July, down from 38 ports in July 2025. Novorossiysk maintained its leading position, though shipment volumes there fell by 23.7% to just over 1 million metric tons. Deliveries from Rostov-on-Don dropped 3.7-fold to 154,000 metric tons, while Taman processed 124,000 metric tons (a 7% increase). Tuapse handled 91,600 metric tons, despite recording no grain exports during the same period last year. Shipments via river ports using river-sea class vessels virtually ceased.

At the same time, Tyurina claimed that the decline in shipment volumes occurred "amid high price competitiveness for Russian wheat on the global market."

"As of Aug. 1, the price discount on Russian wheat compared to European wheat sits at a market-favorable level of $35 per metric ton. Last season during this period, there was no discount; in fact, Russian wheat was $9 per metric ton more expensive than European wheat," she said.