East African grain importers are facing delays in securing phytosanitary certificates for Russian wheat as geopolitical disruptions force exporters to reroute cargo through the Baltic Sea. This has created new documentation and inspection hurdles for shipments bound for markets such as Kenya.
The disruption comes as Russia shifts part of its grain export logistics towards Baltic ports following attacks and interruptions affecting traditional Black Sea and Sea of Azov routes. About 90 percent of Russia’s seaborne grain exports passed through the Black Sea and Sea of Azov during the July 2025-June 2026 export season, according to industry data.
