Russia’s threats to intensify attacks on Ukrainian ports have raised grain prices on the Chicago Board of Trade

Russia’s latest threats to intensify strikes on Ukrainian ports have led to a rise in grain prices on world exchanges, including Chicago.

After the Russian president’s statements, wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and Euronext rose by $8-14 per ton. This was reported by broker Volodymyr Levkovsky, Latifundist reports.

According to him, traders are actively fixing deals, and brokers are advising farmers not to delay sales.

“After the attack on a Russian tanker in the Black Sea, the risks of escalation have only increased. Russia may try to create worse conditions in Ukrainian ports to stop the export of grain and oil,” Levkovsky noted.

He stressed that farmers should manage risks and ensure liquidity, because even short-term destabilization of logistics can affect prices.

HarvEast CEO Dmitry Skornyakov also previously stated that the company is accelerating grain sales, fearing new Russian attacks on railway and port infrastructure, which could increase the cost of logistics.

At the same time, analysts remind that Russia has not stopped attacks on Ukrainian ports. According to the Institute for Black Sea Strategic Studies, at least 107 attacks were recorded in January-September 2025 alone – an average of once every three days.

Among them:

• 33 missile strikes,

• 74 attacks by Shahed drones,

• 2 attacks by sea boats.

Despite the risks, agricultural exports remain key. According to AgroDigest, in November, the grain group provided 60% of Ukraine’s agricultural exports, of which corn – 61.3%, wheat – 35.8%. The total value of grain exports reached $639 million, which is 11.5% more than in October.

Also, the day before, USM reported that after mysterious explosions on tankers related to the trade in Russian oil, foreign vessels will be inspected in Russian ports.