The Black Sea has become the latest major chokepoint in an increasingly fragile global agricultural trade system. Ukraine is working to shift some exports to alternative routes, but those options cannot immediately replace the capacity of its Black Sea ports. Russia also continues to export grain through Black Sea ports, although shipping activity has been disrupted. What it means for U.S. farmersFor American farmers, the Black Sea disruption could create both opportunity and uncertainty. For farmers watching futures prices from the Midwest, the lesson is straightforward: global grain markets don’t operate in a vacuum.