A cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea in this photo released Nov. 20, 2023.

Ukraine’s grain export success tested by Red Sea crisis

Ukraine Black Sea route slowed by Red Sea turmoil, hampering trade with Asia

Ukraine has managed to boost its Black Sea grain exports to a level not seen since before Russia’s invasion, but the shipping crisis in the Red Sea poses a new challenge to the nation’s crucial agricultural trade. Kyiv’s success in replacing a UN-backed Black Sea export deal with its own shipping scheme has brought relief

A man is seen outside the house damaged by Russian shelling, Odesa Region, southern Ukraine. (Photo by Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/Sipa USA)

What is war fatigue?

If the West is 'tired' of the war in Ukraine, consider the reality of Ukrainians

As we approached the end of December, my mood, like that of most Ukrainians, was not at all Christmassy. The heroic achievement of 2022, when our lives hung in the balance and our defenders managed to repel the enemy, was replaced by the bloody routine of 2023.


A man is seen outside the house damaged by Russian shelling in the Odesa Region, southern Ukraine. Photo: by Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/Sipa USA

What is war fatigue?

If the West is 'tired' of the war in Ukraine, consider the reality of Ukrainians

In 2023, Ukraine celebrated Christmas for the second time on Dec. 25, instead of Jan. 7, as it was before Russia’s invasion. My friends are divided into two camps. Some planned to celebrate Christmas in a new way, others do not want to change anything. However, this is far from the biggest problem in our lives. As we






Detail from the front of the CBOT building in Chicago. (Vito Palmisano/iStock/Getty Images)

CBOT weekly: Mostly bullish influences on soy, corn, wheat

China increasing imports, Brazil in weather bind

MarketsFarm — While extreme weather differences in Brazil remained the main focus of the Chicago Board of Trade’s attention, increased imports by China were becoming another major factor, according to Terry Reilly, senior agricultural specialist for Marex in Chicago. “People are watching China’s increased demand for soybeans, wheat and potentially corn,” Reilly said, noting the


A display of civilian vehicles destroyed in the war in Kyiv.

From Ukraine: Civilian cars and ancient farm machinery

[FIRST PERSON ]Ukraine’s history of making do pays off in wartime as farmers support the war

Ukraine’s agriculture is diverse and so is the equipment on Ukrainian farms. Near my town, a German-made NEXAT transformer unit is working in the fields and is one of few in the world. It’s a massive all-in-one machine that handles every step in crop production: spring cultivation, seeding, crop protection and harvesting. While this is the cutting edge, you’ll

A vessel is seen arriving at Odesa in southern Ukraine under the Black Sea Grain Initiative on April 12, 2023.

Insurers, Ukraine launch war-risk ship insurance

Program announced in effort to cut grain costs

Reuters – Insurance broker Marsh, Lloyd’s of London insurers and Ukrainian state banks have launched a program to cut the cost of claims for damage to ships and crew transporting grain through the Black Sea corridor, Marsh said Nov. 15. Kyiv launched a “humanitarian corridor” in August for ships bound for Africa and Asia to