The key facts

  • Kaja Kallas reported six attacks on ships in the Black Sea over 10 days off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria
  • Ukraine, by her estimate, is losing about €60 million a day in export revenue
  • Global grain stocks are larger than in 2022, but the system is being squeezed by El Niño, droughts, and the Middle East conflict

Attacks on shipping and Ukraine's losses

Suspected Russian drone strikes on civilian ships in the Black Sea are increasing pressure on global food supplies, warned the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, speaking on Tuesday in the European Parliament. According to her, ships have been attacked six times over 10 days — she called it a 'dangerous and unacceptable escalation.' The strikes hit ships off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria — EU and NATO members — causing alarm in Europe. Kallas accused the Kremlin of trying to cut off Ukraine's revenue against the backdrop of small gains by Russian troops on the battlefield: by her estimate, Ukraine is losing about €60 million a day in export revenue. Ukraine is one of the world's leading exporters of wheat, corn, and barley, with most shipments going by sea.

The 'perfect storm' and grain stocks

Kallas noted that global grain stocks are now in better shape than in 2022, when Russia's blockade left 20 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain stranded. However, according to her, the global food system is facing a 'perfect storm': a super El Niño, drought in both hemispheres, and the Middle East conflict, which is complicating fertilizer exports. 'Russia's actions are making it harder to put food on the table for people around the world,' Euronews quoted her as saying.

Land routes under threat

Since 2022, the EU has created land 'solidarity corridors' for transporting Ukrainian goods through member states instead of the Black Sea. Kallas said that these are now also under threat, as Russia attacks border crossings with Moldova, Romania, and Poland. Last week, EU leaders called for the immediate restoration of safe passage for civilian shipping in the Black Sea.