Deadly escalation in Black Sea attacks prompts fears of even higher food prices Russian and Ukrainian strikes in July killed more crew than in whole war to that month, preventing grain exports The Guardian - UK · Sep 4
Kyiv to EU: 'Think outside the box' on Russia's frozen assets Hello, it’s Friday. I’m Mared Gwyn. Today, Ukraine’s Finance Minister shares his thoughts on plans to channel Russia’s immobilised state assets to Kyiv. We also break down the brewing crisis in the Black Sea. Euronews · Sep 4
New Black Sea blockade fuels fears of food crisis and migration wave The escalation in the Black Sea has reignited fears among Europeans that Russia will seek to weaponise food supply chains to trigger a migration wave and undermine support for Ukraine. Euronews · Sep 3
Ships adopt makeshift anti-drone defences as Black Sea attacks intensify To counter the escalating risk of drone assaults from Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, vessels passing through the Bosphorus are equipping themselves with additional protective gear like nets and water tanks. This strategic shift follows Ukraine's heightened offensive on Russian export facilities starting in July. Although certain precautions… The Economic Times · Sep 2
War, weather push crop prices to biggest monthly gain Since 2012 Crop prices saw their largest monthly jump in over a decade. Wheat prices reached a three-year high as Black Sea shipments were impacted. Sugar and cocoa also increased substantially due to El Niño weather worries. These rising costs threaten everyday pantry staples like bread and dairy. The Economic Times · Sep 1
Rip-Roaring Bull Markets Are Taking Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Prices Higher An uncommon convergence of bullish fundamental elements, as well as bullish technicals, are driving the rip-roaring bull runs in the grains. Barchart · Aug 31
August Wrap-Up Weather, Geopolitics, and Fuel Costs Keep Commodity Markets Busy August just flipped the commodity script. Grains rallied HARD into harvest (not the usual drop): Corn → multi-year highs Wheat → 3-year highs on Black Sea chaos. Meanwhile, diesel exploded to $5.45–$5.65/gal (+$1.70–$1.90 YoY) with inventories at multi-decade lows. Weather. Geopolitics. Fuel costs—sticky inflation. Everything is connected—and September is already… Barchart · Aug 31
Wheat Following Wednesday Gains with Thursday AM Strength Wheat is extending strength to Thursday morning, with contracts up 4 to 7 cents across the three markets. The wheat complex rallied on Wednesday with escalating tensions out of the Black Sea. Chicago SRW contracts were up the 45 cent limit in the front months and other contracts up 26... Barchart · Aug 27
Wheat Rallying to New Highs as Russia Looks to Escalation The wheat complex is extending to fresh highs on Wednesday following news out of the Black Sea. Chicago SRW contracts are uo 42 to 43 cents on Wednesday, after hitting the 45 cent limit near midday. KC HRW futures are trading with 36 to 37 cent gains so far at... Barchart · Aug 26
What the renewed Black Sea blockade means for Ukraine’s farmers As Ukraine and Russia hammer each other’s Black Sea ports, the amount of grain being shipped through the crucial waterway has slowed to a crawl. For Ukraine’s farmers, the Black Sea blockade could hardly have come at a worse time. France 24 · Aug 24
Is Europe developing Ukraine war fatigue? Volodymyr Zelensky is fighting a war on several fronts. Russia is ramping up its missile attacks with almost nightly bombardment of Ukrainian cities. A blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports is choking its grain exports with a devastating effect on its agricultural economy. The Conversation · Aug 21
Wheat Falling Back Early on Monday Wheat is slipping lower across the winter wheat contracts on Monday morning. The wheat complex led the grain rally on Friday, following more Black Sea news. Chicago SRW contracts were up 11 3/4 to 22 cents on Friday, with a weekly gain of 35 cents. Open interest was up 5,732... Barchart · Aug 17
Ukraine offers Black Sea shipping truce; Russia yet to respond : Report Ukraine has proposed a temporary halt to attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea as a surge in strikes on ships and ports disrupts trade and raises concerns about global food supplies, according to a source familiar with the matter cited by Reuters. The Times of India · Aug 15
Wheat Bulls Put Premium in Heading into the Weekend The wheat complex led the grain rally on Friday, following more Black Sea news. Chicago SRW contracts were up 11 3/4 to 22 cents on Friday, with a weekly gain of 35 cents. KC HRW futures led the wheat rally, with contracts up 15 to 33 cents on Friday, as... Barchart · Aug 14
Barchart · Aug 14 Wheat Rallying as Russia Rejects Ukraine’s Proposal The wheat complex is rallying across the three markets on Friday following more Black Sea news. Chicago SRW contracts are up 23 to 25 cents on Friday. KC HRW futures are leading the rally, with contracts up 35 to 36 cents. MPLS spring wheat are rallying 17 to 19 cents...
Barchart · Aug 14 Corn Following Wheat Higher on Friday Corn is in rally mode, taking back the Thursday losses, with contracts up 9 to 10 cents. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price is up 9 3/4 cents at $4.28. Continued spillover support from a wheat-led rally on rising Black Sea tensions has helped to extend corn’s bounce into...
The Independent UK · Aug 14 Eurovision: What you need to know about the Black Sea jewel hosting the 2027 competition Burgas has pipped Bulgaria’s capital Sofia to the post to claim the Eurovision host city crown
The Economic Times · Aug 14 Russia dismisses Black Sea ceasefire, citing no grounds for 'half-measures' amid escalating attacks Russia dismissed a ceasefire proposal for the Black Sea, claiming no foundation for temporary measures. Moscow accused Ukraine of perpetrating terrorism against maritime operations, further inflaming tensions in the region. Turkey had suggested a moratorium on military actions, while Ukraine proposed a suspension of assaults on civilian structures. Russia criticised…
The Conversation · Aug 14 Russia is cutting off Ukraine’s grain exports again, threatening a critical harvest and global food security While the world’s attention is fixated on the US blockade of Iranian ports and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Russia has been subjecting Ukraine to a blockade of its own in the Black Sea, imperilling Ukraine’s summer grain harvest.
The Guardian - UK · Aug 13 Ukraine ‘offering Russia deal to halt attacks on civilian ships in Black Sea’ Kyiv reportedly suggested mutual agreement in attempt to reopen crucial grain corridor
The Economic Times · Aug 13 Ukraine offers Russia truce in Black Sea as food supply fears mount, source says Ukraine has proposed a halt to attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea. This offer was transmitted via a third party, and Ukraine awaits a response. Both nations are major agricultural exporters and accuse each other of intensified targeting. Ukrainian grain exports have significantly decreased due to Russian port…
The Independent UK · Aug 13 Eurovision music contest will take place in Bulgaria’s Black Sea city of Burgas next year Next year's Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria
Euronews · Aug 13 And the winner is... Burgas to host 2027 Eurovision Song Contest Bulgaria's 4th largest city Burgas has won the right to host the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. The Black Sea resort has been praised for its 'uniqueness' as the country prepares to hold the world's biggest live song competition for the very first time.
The Independent UK · Aug 13 Ukraine-Russia war latest: Nato jets scrambled to shoot down foreign drone after it enters Latvian airspace Finland, another Nato member, also temporarily restricts airspace
Barchart · Aug 12 Corn Rallies on Smaller Yield and Cut to Stocks Corn futures closed the Wednesday session with contracts down 18 to 20 ½ cents in through next July, with deferreds up 4 to 11 ½ cents. Spillover gains from wheat and increasing Black Sea strikes was supportive. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was 20 1/4 cents higher at...