Russia's largest?grain lobby warned on Friday about the possibility that Ukrainian drone attacks on russian ships and ports could cause a halt to grain exports through the Black Sea, driving up prices and increasing hunger in Africa and Middle East.

In recent weeks, Russia, which is the largest exporter of wheat in the world, and Ukraine, another major agricultural exporter have attacked each other's agricultural facilities for exporting goods, as well as commercial vessels, in the Black Sea area.

The Union of Grain Exporters and Producers of Russia said that the?consequences of these attacks will be felt by many countries in the?near future.

The union stated that "systematic attacks which began in July may soon lead to the complete blocking of export corridors within the Black Sea basin."

The report said that the shortfall of Russian wheat for other countries could reach 30-35 millions metric tons this season, which would account for 15 percent of global wheat trade. The'shortfall in supply of Russian wheat to other countries this season could reach 30-35 million metric tons, accounting for around 15 % of total global wheat trade.

It said that "disruptions in shipping in the Black Sea due to Ukrainian attacks on dry cargo vessels and port infrastructure pose a direct threat to global food safety." Reporting by Olga Popova, Writing by Anastasia Teterevleva & Alessandra Prrentice; Editing By Andrew Osborn

(source: Reuters)