Category: Freight

Iran doubles grain imports from Kazakhstan: Shipments reached 1.1 million tons in 2025, valued at $225.3 million, more than twice the previous year. Agriculture dominates bilateral trade: Kazakh agricultural exports to Iran jumped 97% to $238.5 million, accounting for 79% of total commerce. Broader agri-trade expansion: Overall Kazakhstan–Iran agricultural trade climbed 55.8% to $342 million…

Surging grain imports: Uzbekistan spent $524.6 million on grain in January–April 2026, driving a 47.2% year-on-year jump in total food imports to over $1.88 billion. Import-led trade growth: Total imports rose 26.7% to $16.35 billion, while exports fell 16.8% to $9.97 billion, widening the trade deficit. Key trade partners: China, Russia, and Kazakhstan dominate trade…

Stable unloading: Daily grain railcar unloading at Greater Odesa ports was virtually unchanged at 1,285 units, down just 4 units week-on-week. Weaker inflows: Grain railcars en route to Greater Odesa fell sharply by 1,167 units to 7,313 units, with daily loading down 42 units to 1,263 railcars. Danube halt: Danube ports maintained unloading capacity at…

Export Growth: Russia exported about 180,000 tons of wheat and rye-wheat flour in January–April 2026, an 11% year-on-year increase in value. Revenue Expansion: Flour exports generated approximately $60 million, reflecting steady international demand for Russian value-added grain products. Market Tone: The trend is neutral to slightly bullish for global wheat, highlighting Russia’s diversification beyond raw…

Stronger volumes: Russian agricultural exports to Kazakhstan jumped 50% year-on-year in Q1 2026 to 2.4 million tons, underlining robust regional demand. Moderate value growth: Export value rose 28% to $1 billion, lagging volume growth and signaling a shift toward lower-margin bulk commodities. Feed-driven surge: Bran (4.7x), flaxseed (4x), rye (2.8x), and starch/inulin (2x) led the…

Drone attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure have surged more than tenfold in 2024, now occurring roughly every other day. Despite escalating threats, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority is reinforcing security while keeping ports operational and modernizing infrastructure. Black Sea freight remains viable but with elevated risk premiums, higher insurance costs, and potential cargo diversion to…

Transit-led growth: Kazakhstan–Russia rail freight hit 92.1 million tons in 2025, up 3.5% year-on-year, driven primarily by rising transit operations. Russian exports via Kazakhstan: Russian grain, oil products, and metals moving through Kazakhstan climbed around 20% in early 2026 to over 12 million tons. Kazakh exports via Russia: Kazakh coal, metals, and fertilizers transiting Russia…

Bearish prices: Ukrainian granulated wheat bran export prices continued to fall this week amid ongoing market weakness. Weak demand: Subdued import buying interest from traditional customers is limiting sales and pressuring prices lower. Seasonal pressure: Typical seasonal dynamics for this period are amplifying the soft demand environment. Futures impact: Declining wheat futures on global exchanges…

EC pressure on Hungary: Brussels formally urges Hungary to lift its unilateral ban on Ukrainian agricultural imports, calling it unjustified and harmful to the single market. Safeguard tools in place: The updated EU-Ukraine DCFTA includes safeguard clauses that the EC says are sufficient to address any market disruption from increased Ukrainian imports. Market tone: Neutral…

Duty Slashed: Russia’s sunflower oil export duty falls 71% in June to 1,337.5 rubles/tonne from 4,650 rubles/tonne in May. Meal Exports Unrestricted: Sunflower meal export duty stays at zero for a second month, supporting continued outbound flows. Stable Oil Prices: Indicative sunflower oil price holds around $1,292/tonne, signaling policy-driven, not demand-driven, duty cuts. Bullish Freight…