Escalation in the Black Sea raises risks for global grain exports

Odesa region, including Pivdennyi, the country’s largest port. Over the weekend, a shipping terminal owned by oilseed processor Allseeds was hit, according to Ukrainian officials. The company confirmed that its terminal came under attack on December 20, resulting in at least one fatality. Allseeds reported extensive damage from the strike, including major fires, the destruction of thousands of tonnes of stored sunflower oil, and damage to critical infrastructure. Further attacks followed overnight, when another strike on Pivdennyi port set fire to 30 containers carrying flour and vegetable oil. At the same time, Russia said a drone attack damaged infrastructure and vessels at the Black Sea port of Taman. Local authorities reported that two tankers and two piers were hit, along with a connecting pipeline and two storage tanks. The port handles a wide range of cargoes, including grain, fertilizers and oil, adding to concerns about regional export flows. Ukraine and Russia are among ...