Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan are turning to policy described as “food nationalism” — protecting their domestic grain markets amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including major grain export restrictions, a highly concerning development for countries dependent on their grain supplies.

A deal allowing Ukraine to export grain to world markets by ship despite Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea has been extended, the UN and the Ukrainian and Turkish governments said on Saturday.

A deal allowing Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea expires on July 17 and with Moscow saying it sees no grounds for an extension there are fears it may collapse.

Having directly targeted and damaged Ukraine grain assets at Black Sea ports and on the Danube River since withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17, Russia has sent Ukraine and the entire world a chilling message, said Stephen Nicholson, global sector strategist, Grains & Oilseeds, at Rabobank.

A few weeks ago, Russia announced it is suspending its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative—the crucial UN agreement enabling continued exports of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea.