Agricultural commodity markets in the wake of the black sea grain initiative

Abstract

This paper studies the futures market response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Event study estimates indicate that futures prices for agricultural commodities were 16% above the counterfactual within the first nine weeks after the invasion. The dynamic treatment estimates also show that futures prices began to recede after the EU Solidarity Lanes were established in May 2022. The Black Sea Grain Initiative did little to change the perception of agricultural commodity traders regarding the futures market uncertainty caused by the Russia–Ukraine war. Our ex-ante estimates challenge the prevailing narrative that the Black Sea Grain Initiative was critical in lowering prices for agricultural commodities.