Ukraine lacks viable plan B to boost grain exports via rail, road or river

Ukraine has few viable options currently to boost grain exports by rail, road or river barge anytime soon if a United Nations-brokered deal with Moscow to export by sea runs into trouble.
Ukraine is one of the world’s leading grain and oilseed exporters and a Russian blockade of its ports after Moscow invaded its southern neighbour in February triggered higher global prices for basic foods.
The UN-brokered deal reached in July allowed grain shipments to resume. But Russian support for the pact has wavered in recent weeks and Moscow even temporarily withdrew at the end of October. This has put the deal’s long-term future in doubt even after it was extended on Thursday for 120 days.
Moscow said it expected all its concerns related to Russian exports of food and fertilisers to be addressed in that period.
Kyiv had sought a one-year extension.