- New Russian restrictions on foreign vessels, particularly at the port of Kavkaz, have sharply disrupted grain exports, with August shipments plunging to 350,000 tonnes compared to 1.49 million tonnes a year earlier.
- Under a July 2025 presidential decree, foreign ships must now obtain clearance from port authorities and the FSB, causing severe delays with some vessels waiting up to six weeks.
- Given Kavkaz handled 23% of Russia’s maritime grain exports last season, the restrictions risk undermining Russia’s competitiveness in global grain markets.
Grain exports from Russia have been severely hampered by new restrictions on foreign vessels entering the country’s ports, with the port of Kavkaz most heavily affected. Shipments through Kavkaz dropped to just 350,000 tonnes since early August, a sharp fall from the 1.49 million tonnes moved in the same month last year, according to Reuters. The bottlenecks stem from a presidential decree issued in July 2025 that tightened entry procedures for foreign-flagged ships, according to UkrAgroConsult.
Inspection Requirements and Delays
The decree requires foreign vessels to secure approval from both port authorities and Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) before entry, significantly extending wait times. As of last week, more than 120 ships were reportedly waiting for clearance outside Kavkaz, leaving vessels stranded for up to one and a half months. Industry sources indicated that terminals at the port are now overwhelmed with grain stockpiles, forcing operators to halt new deliveries. Current loadings are taking place on ships originally scheduled for mid-July.
Regional Port Comparisons
While conditions at Kavkaz are critical, other ports such as Novorossiysk—Russia’s largest grain hub—and those on the Baltic routes face fewer constraints, though exports overall remain sluggish due to a delayed harvest. Analysts note that Kavkaz is uniquely affected given its location in the Kerch Strait, a highly strategic corridor between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Additional security checks on vessels passing under the Kerch Bridge have further slowed operations.
Market Impact
The disruption at Kavkaz poses a significant challenge for Russia’s grain trade. In the 2024/25 season, the port handled 10.24 million tonnes, equal to nearly a quarter of Russia’s seaborne grain exports. With bottlenecks limiting throughput, Russia risks losing competitiveness in global grain markets where delivery reliability is critical. Although port administrators have not issued official statements, exporters warn that prolonged restrictions could lead to sustained losses in market share.
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Source: UkrAgroConsult
