Shadows in the Wheat Fields: Unravelling the Implications of Organized Crime in the Black Sea Grain Initiative
Journal: Journal of Illicit Economies and Development
Year: 2025

Since July 2022, Ukraine has had a pivotal role in alleviating the global food crisis by leveraging its grain supply chain, even in times of war. Despite the political advantages and formal control exerted by UN authorities over this initiative, the presence of organised crime in the Black Sea region has brought forth profound implications. These include economic losses for legitimate businesses, distorted market prices, reduced government revenues, compromised food safety and a weakened rule of