Russia and Ukraine's Black Sea Grain Exports Grind to a Virtual Halt

KYIV/MOSCOW, Aug 19 (Reuters) – Attacks on shipping have shut down more than 97% of Russia and Ukraine’s grain export capacity in the Azov and Black Sea basin, cutting off a major source of low-cost supplies and helping to drive up global prices.

The two major grain exporters have intensified attacks on ports and shipping over the past month, leaving importers in the Middle East, Africa and Asia facing the prospect of sourcing grain from higher-cost suppliers such as Australia and the United States.

Russia and Ukraine together exported an average 7.2 million metric tons of grain a month from terminals in