Heat and weak rainfall have caused water levels in the Danube River to drop, threatening Ukraine's grain exports, Bloomberg reported.
According to the report, the Romanian port of Constanta became a key alternative outlet for Ukrainian grain onto world markets after 2022. Grain is typically delivered to the port by rail, road transport and barges traveling the Danube. Bloomberg said that because the river has grown shallower, vessels now have to carry lighter loads.
Black Sea route remains central
Bloomberg noted that the Black Sea remains the main export route for Russia and Ukraine, two agricultural powers that together account for more than a quarter of global wheat exports.
In the second half of July, it was reported that Ukraine was considering ways to export grain while bypassing its Odesa ports. One alternative under consideration was sending part of Ukraine's grain along the Danube for transshipment through Constanta.
