KYIV, UKRAINE — Ukraine's wheat exports fell to 1.58 million tonnes in November from 1.98 million tonnes in October, Reuters reported, citing the Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA).

Ukraine, which is among the world’s biggest producers and exports of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, has seen exports decline significantly since Russia’s military invasion on Feb. 24. For the first five months of the conflict, a Russian naval blockade prevented Ukraine from exporting any grain out of its Black Sea ports. A deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey at the end of July has allowed grain to move from the ports, but Ukraine’s grain exports remain well below last year’s total.

The Ukrainian agriculture ministry last week said the country had exported almost 18.1 million tonnes of grain so far this year, down nearly 30% from the 25.8 million tonnes exported by the same stage in 2021.

The UGA said Russia was to blame for the decrease in exports from October to November.

“The decline is due to Russian delays in inspection of vessels in Istanbul,” UGA told Reuters.

The UGA told Reuters Ukrainian exporters had declared 5 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds for export during November and the Black Sea “grain corridor” contributed 2.3 million tonnes last month, down more than 1.2 million tonnes from October.