Commercial shipping at Ukrainian ports has been suspended after Russian troops invaded the country, an adviser to the head of the presidential administration said, raising fears of disruption of grain and oilseed supplies for leading exporters.
ProAgro Group reported this, citing Reuters.
Russia had previously closed the Sea of Azov to trade vessel traffic, but left Russian ports in the Black Sea open to shipping, its officials and five grain industry sources said Thursday.
Global agricultural commodities trader Cargill Inc said the ocean-going vessel it chartered was “hit by a shell” in the Black Sea, but the ship retained its seaworthiness and the crew remained safe.
Egypt’s state grain buyer canceled an international procurement tender for wheat on Thursday because no Russian or Ukrainian wheat was offered.
“The market is still trying to get a clear picture of the real military situation. Judging by the first reports from shipping agencies, the ports in the Azov and Black Seas have not yet been affected,” said one European grain trader.
