While Ukraine is cutting exports and Poland is blocking its borders, the EU is increasing grain imports from Russia by 900%.

The actual volume of grain exports by Ukraine since the beginning of the 2023/2024 marketing year as of February 19 is 27.06 million tons, which is 10.7% less than in the previous season.

At the same time, according to Eurostat, last year purchases of Russian grain by the EU increased by 22% per month and 900% for the year. Ukraine has remained the leading grain supplier to the EU, but its share decreased by 25% over the year to 1.2 million tons.

From the beginning of the new trading season to December 1, Russia shipped 2.23 million tons of grain and legumes (+100%) to the EU. The largest importers were:

1. Spain: +780% to 850,000 tons
2. Italy: + 670% to 812,000 tons
3. Belgium: +270% to 198,000 tons
4. Greece: +90% to 160,000 tons

Latvia is also among the leaders, although shipments fell to 105,000 tons from 410,000 tons.