Russian Grain Markets: 12–16 January, 2026 The Russian grains market is slowly but steadily emerging from the extended holiday period. Extreme cold weather is complicating operations, but grain and oilseed receiving and loadings are continuing—albeit with delays—at Russia’s Black Sea ports. Operations at the occupied Azov Sea ports have been temporarily suspended due to ice conditions. The Ukrainian port of Mariupol (now occupied) is currently frozen, and Russia’s Azov Sea port of Taganrog may also freeze. This is not expected to become a major issue, as Russia has two icebreakers operating in the region. Ice conditions could persist in Azov Sea waters until March if cold weather continues. Russia’s ice-f...