Russia allows grain vessels to leave the Sea of Azov for the first time since July

Russian authorities have granted temporary permission for grain vessels to depart from ports in the Sea of Azov for the first time since July 2026. According to Bloomberg, citing three sources familiar with the matter, port authorities have allowed ships to leave Temryuk and Kavkaz. At least one vessel has already passed through the Kerch Strait into the Black Sea.

The departure window opened on Monday, October 26. According to the sources, shipowners whose vessels are ready to sail and have crews in place can apply for permission to depart. Commercial shipping in the Sea of Azov was suspended on July 10 due to the threat of attacks.

Before the restrictions were introduced, ports in the Sea of Azov handled around one-third of Russia’s seaborne wheat exports. The prolonged suspension of shipping significantly restricted grain shipments, while attacks on port infrastructure and vessels in the Black Sea region increased risks to international trade. Russia and Ukraine together account for more than a quarter of global wheat trade.

The news of a partial resumption of shipping triggered a decline in global wheat prices. On Wednesday, October 28, wheat futures in Chicago fell by as much as 2.8%, reaching their lowest level since July 1. Market participants reacted to the possibility of increased Russian grain shipments, although the outlook for further exports remains uncertain.

However, analysts stress that the temporary reopening of ports does not eliminate shipping risks. With no ceasefire agreement in place, vessels crossing the Black Sea remain exposed to drone attacks. According to Bertrand Oesterle, vice president at StoneX, the grain market’s initial reaction was swift, but few expect the reopening of ports to significantly change the assessment of war-related risks.

Tags: Russia, export, grain, Black Sea region