Russian grain exporters consider new route via Abkhazia port

Russian grain exporters have selected the port of Ochamchire, on the Black Sea coast of occupied Abkhazia, as a new route for exporting wheat and other agricultural products to Turkey. The move is an attempt to find an alternative to ports whose use has been limited by mutual Russian and Ukrainian attacks. The route allows shipments in containers only, not on bulk carriers, so it will ease the stability problems of Russian grain exports only in part.

According to Bloomberg, the decision to use Ochamchire is reportedly already settled. The container terminal at the port was completed in 2025 with financial support from Russia. Grain delivered there is to be shipped to the Turkish port of Gebze. Transport will be organised by the logistics company Modern Way, whose offer has attracted several large Russian grain traders and brokers. The first shipments are to begin once a quality control point opens at the port, which is planned for the end of November.

Limited capacity

The route's potential is constrained by available transshipment infrastructure, the port's small capacity and the high cost of container transport. A standard 20-foot container holds about 23 tonnes of grain, while large bulk carriers can move up to 100,000 tonnes in a single voyage. It is therefore unlikely that Ochamchire will significantly support Russian grain exports.

Other alternative routes

Because Black Sea ports have been ruled out for grain exports by mutual attacks, Russia has been making greater use of Baltic Sea ports, the Arctic port of Murmansk and rail routes to the Far East. These alternatives also have limited capacity, while transport costs are high and logistics are complicated.

Arkady Zlochevsky, head of the Russian Grain Union, said container shipping has become more attractive to exporters because of state subsidies for rail logistics and lower domestic wheat prices. He noted, however, that this method remains more expensive and less efficient.