24 February marked the beginning of one of the largest military conflicts to break out in Europe since World War II, as Russian military forces invaded Ukraine. The unprovoked and devastating attack ratcheted up geopolitical tensions and triggered a massive humanitarian crisis.

The conflict has created huge transportation and logistical challenges for food trade, both domestic and international. Physical damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure has hindered the movement of food commodities, a majority of which are transported by rail and truck to ports on the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. Some of Ukraine’s infrastructure, such as roadways, was in disrepair even before the war; since the conflict erupted, eastern Ukrainian ports have been destroyed or heavily damaged – and the Russian navy controls the Black Sea, bringing shipping to a near standstill.

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