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UN warns strikes on Black Sea shipping and ports are driving up global wheat prices
Summary
At the council briefing the UN presenter said renewed strikes on Black Sea ports and civilian vessels have disrupted grain shipments, citing UNCTAD data showing a roughly 20% monthly rise in wheat prices and noting several crew fatalities on flagged vessels.
A United Nations presenter told the council that renewed systematic attacks on Black Sea ports and civilian vessels have disrupted Ukraine’s grain exports and threatened global food supply chains.
The presenter cited UNCTAD reporting that wheat prices climbed about 20% from the beginning of the month and reached their highest levels since March 2024. The presenter also said attacks this month reportedly killed or injured 44 crew members and named two particularly deadly strikes: a July 20 strike on a Guinea-Bissau–flagged ship that reportedly killed 10 people, and an earlier July 13 strike on a Togo-flagged vessel that reportedly killed five and injured 10.
The presenter said four of 13 major grain terminals in the Odessa region have suspended grain purchases because of the threat of attacks, and warned further disruption could raise freight, insurance, food and energy costs with severe consequences for vulnerable, import-dependent developing countries.
"We urge maximum restraint against actions that endanger civilian maritime navigation," the presenter said, calling for measures to protect civilian shipping and ports.
