THUNDER BAY — The disruption of global grain and potash shipments caused by Russia's assault on Ukraine may have an impact on operations in the Port of Thunder Bay.
Together, the two countries account for nearly 30 per cent of wheat exports.
Ukraine's government last week announced a ban on all grain exports in order to protect supplies at home.
Exports from Russia are also likely to be affected by international sanctions.
Port of Thunder Bay CEO Tim Heney says it will take some time before the full impact on Western Canada farmers and on exports overseas via Thunder Bay becomes clear.
"Right now we're moving last year's harvest, which we call the carryover from the prior year. It was a poor harvest – the worst in about 14 years – so it's lower than usual. There isn't the capacity, initially, to make up for any shortfalls with western Canadian wheat," Heney said in an interview Tuesday.
He said farmers may plant more acreage this year, and if weather conditions permit the harvest may rebound, "but we won't see any impact until later next fall, or maybe by late August."
However, Thunder Bay could benefit sooner from an increase in potash shipments from Saskatchewan.
Heney said "Russia and Ukraine are big potash exporters, as is Canada, so we may see increased shipments of that to make up for some of the shortfall in European markets."
Potash comes to Thunder Bay on unit trains, and is loaded directly onto ships.
More than 900 people work in port-related jobs in Thunder Bay.
Port activity carries an economic impact of about $370 million.
Cargo volumes last year fell about six per cent from the five-year average, due largely to the poor grain harvest.
