Russia’s grain exports to Iran suspended amid war

Russia’s grain exports to Iran have been suspended following U.S.–Israeli airstrikes carried out on Saturday, sources told Reuters on Tuesday. Iran, Russia’s third-largest grain buyer, has already purchased and shipped up to 95% of its planned Russian wheat volumes for the current season.

Two sources at Russian exporting companies, who declined to be named, said shipments of grain to Iran via the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea have halted. Exporters are still attempting to fulfill existing contracts despite the temporary suspension. “There is demand for supplies, but for now shipments are on hold. I believe they will resume at the earliest opportunity for both feed and food-grade grain,” one source said.

According to the sources, Iran experienced a poor harvest this year due to difficult and dry weather conditions. Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel, remain key markets for Russian grain. At the same time, Russia is seeking to diversify exports toward Asia, Africa and Latin America. Shipments to other buyers are continuing without disruption.

The recent attacks have driven up freight rates and insurance premiums, while also creating payment difficulties involving banks in the Gulf region. Analysts at rail grain operator Rusagrotrans reported that Iran imported nearly 6 million tonnes of grain from Russia between July and February, compared with 3 million tonnes during the same period a year earlier. Analysts estimate that Russian exporters have already shipped 1.9 million tonnes of wheat to Iran out of a planned 2–2.2 million tonnes.

Most grain trade between Russia and Iran is conducted via the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, with some volumes transported by rail through Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Data from LSEG showed that no vessel carrying Russian grain is currently in or near Iranian ports on the Caspian Sea. Bilateral trade between the two countries increased by 13% in January–November 2025. In May 2025, the free trade agreement between Iran and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union came into force. Meanwhile, a grain exporters’ association in Kazakhstan said Iranian importers are not signing new contracts, raising the risk of stalled sales. According to LSEG data, the grain carrier Bellatrix arrived from Kazakhstan at Iran’s Amirabad port on the Caspian Sea but dropped anchor without entering the port.

Tags: Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, grain, wheat