The Kremlin is pushing wheat exporters and growers to maintain Russia’s geopolitical advantage as the top shipper of the grain, despite disruptions to ports in the Black Sea region.

Saudi Arabia’s biggest barley buyer is shifting away from a key source of supply as the Russia-Ukraine war disrupts shipments from one of the world’s major breadbasket regions.

The world’s top container shipper MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. has suspended new bookings to and from Russia’s Novorossiysk port with immediate effect after one of its vessels was attacked by a drone.

At least five grain ships have been attacked near the Russian Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse as Moscow struggles to continue exporting grain amid heightened Ukrainian strikes, according to people familiar with the matter.

Black Sea grain exports are facing fresh constraints as record-low Danube levels restrict flows through Romania just as escalating Russian strikes divert Ukrainian grain from Odesa and other ports.

Ukraine’s agricultural shipments could fall by more than half this season after Russian attacks disrupted Black Sea ports, threatening the country’s biggest source of export revenue.

Russian officials are proposing arming grain ships with machine guns and mobile missile launchers, as the world’s top wheat exporter tries to counter Ukrainian drone attacks.

Europe is set to suffer one of its sharpest ever declines in grain production as extreme weather and geopolitical tensions converge to pile pressure on farmers.

Corn prices reached the highest level in seven weeks in Paris as renewed tensions in the Black Sea stoked supply concerns.

Russia’s largest employer is trying to address mounting financial pressures with new measures that some businesses worry will come at their expense, underscoring the growing strains on the economy as President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine drags on.

Ukraine’s agricultural sector suffered direct losses of more than $11 billion as Russian drone strikes intensified sharply at the end of last year, according to Deputy Economy Minister Taras Vysotskyi.

Russian spring wheat planting continues to face delays as persistent rain hinders growers, risking lower harvests.

Wheat futures extended their longest losing streak since early January, as traders returning from a US holiday digested progress in negotiations to end the Middle East war.

Agricultural firm Cargill Inc. appointed Armando Giordano as its new head of world trading, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Russia and China signed an agreement on the joint construction of a new railway link across their shared border, part of a broader push to expand transport ties and trade between the two countries.

Wheat futures in Chicago swung between gains and losses as traders assessed the lack of confirmation from China on the Trump administration’s announcement of billions of dollars in agricultural purchases.

An agreement on US agricultural sales to China outlined by the White House is raising optimism for a demand pickup beyond soybeans, helping to drive prices higher across the board for crop futures.

Heavy rains and colder-than-usual weather in Russia have resulted in the worst start to spring planting in many years, risking lower wheat harvests in the world’s top exporter of the grain.

Ukraine is targeting higher corn shipments next season as favorable weather is expected to boost harvests despite a fertilizer crunch caused by the conflict in Iran.

Grain and oilseed futures slumped in Chicago, on optimism that the US and Iran are nearing a peace deal to end the Middle East war that has fueled supply concerns for nutrient-intensive crops.