Russia upends global grain trade

Ukraine was a major exporter of wheat and other food commodities to developing nations before Russia’s invasion in February last year, but it has lost access to the crucial Black Sea route for its shipments.

Moscow initially imposed a blockade on Ukraine shipments via the Black Sea but later agreed to reopen the route in a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey that included inspections of ships to ensure they were not carrying weapons.

The agreement enabled Ukraine to export more than 30 million tonnes of grain from three Black Sea ports,…