Ukrainian grains are down

Ukraine's grain exports are down – they have slumped since the start of the war because its Black Sea ports, key routes for shipments, were closed off, driving up global food prices and prompting fears of shortages in Africa and the Middle East.

• However, three Black Sea ports were unblocked at the end of July under a deal between Moscow and Kyiv, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.

It’s believed that Ukraine could harvest at least 50 million tonnes of grain this year, compared with a record 86 million tonnes in 2021, because of the loss of land to Russian forces and lower grain yields.