Russia’s grain exports have stalled after tit-for-tat attacks disrupted Black Sea and Sea of Azov shipping routes, creating an oversupply in the domestic market and pushing down prices. The affected routes previously handled up to 70% of Russia’s annual grain exports, equivalent to around 60 million tons. The government plans to reroute shipments, suspend the grain export duty through the end of the year, purchase grain for state stocks, subsidize rail transport, extend loans to producers and use excess grain as livestock feed. Analysts and farmers remain sceptical, saying alternative routes through the Baltic Sea, Caspian Sea, Far East and Arctic would be slower and more expensive. The People's Farmer lobby has called for a reduction in this year’s winter sowing area, but Deputy Agriculture Minister Maxim Borovoi said that would breach food security because the process could become uncontrollable.