This is a case of “capitalism”, the profit in growing the wheat, meeting up with “collectivism”, the bad transportation network.
The Russians (Soviets), did not understand the need for a transportation network to get the grain from the fields to the markets. I really think most of the Russian leaders, having lived in areas with good roads and private drivers, never really understood how important the transportation infrastructure is.
Europe has that kind of network because, for the most part, we and the Germans built it to get troops from one place to another. In America, it was built to get goods from the producer to the market. Very few other countries really understand that in a visceral sense.
So when they have a bumper crop, they do not know how to get it to market.
Both Ukraine and Russia have been major grain exporters. This years bumper crop in Russia may be straining their rail capacity or maybe it is being strained by war transport of men and arms. Meanwhile this is a good opportunity to stick it to St. Petersburg for questioning this war’s purpose. Meanwhile Putin promises low Vodka prices—keep them drunk and happy.
Gen. Eisenhower learned the importance of major transport from his years as General for Europe in WW2. He came home and pushed the Interstate highway system to great success. We do have politicians who fight the concept sometimes. Currently West Virginia cannot get its beautiful new highway connected to Virginia’s I-81 and I-66 roadways. Is it because these old routes are very crowded and need updates, or is it because VA fears competition from WVa?
This may be another reason for Putin’s push to keep Crimea and take Odessa. On the other hand a good negotiating point for Ukraine would be to offer Sevastapol leases for commercial shipping, but forbid military vessels, and supervise inspections at the Kerch Bridge to keep Crimea peaceful and possessed by Ukraine.