(Reuters.) Russia invaded Ukraine through land, sea and air. This has led to increased pressure on Russia for sanctions. It also threatens the export and import of Russian commodities.

Below are the details for Russia’s most important commodity exports.

ALUMINIUM

The West has imposed sanctions on most Russian metal producers since the 2014 annexe of Crimea by Moscow.

Rusal is the exception to the rule. It is the largest producer of aluminium outside China and is currently subject to the United States’ measures between April 2018 – early 2019.

Rusal was responsible for a total of 3.8 Million Tonnes of Aluminium in 2021. This is approximately 6% of global production.

Rusal has three main markets: North America, Asia, and Europe. Glencore, an OTC: commodity trader and miner, has signed a long-term agreement to buy Rusal’s primary aluminum. It will run until 2025.

COBALT

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which collects data, shows that Russia produced 7.600 tonnes cobalt in 2013, more than 4% above the global average.

Russia came in second place behind 120,000-tonne Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nornickel was the biggest Russian producer, with 5,000 tonnes sold in 2021. Nornickel exports most its output to Europe.

COPER

Russia produced almost 3.5% more refined steel than the rest of the world in 2013, with 920,000 tonnes being produced by Russia last year. Nornickel was responsible for 406,841 tons.

Asia and Europe are both the largest export markets.

NICKEL

Nornickel is the top-producing country for refined nickel. In 2021 it produced 193,006 tonnes, which is about 7% global mine production. The company sells its products to industrial customers around the world under long-term agreements.

PLATINUM AND PALLADIUM

Nornickel is the largest producer of palladium in the world and also a significant producer of platinum.

Last year, it produced approximately 2.6 Million Troy Ounces of Palladium or 40% of worldwide mine production. It also produced 641,000 Ounces of Platinum or 10% of total mine output.

GOLD

Russia, the third-largest producer of gold in the world after Australia and China, accounts for 10% of the global mine production which was 3,500 tonnes according to the World Gold Council last year.

Polyus and Polymetal are two companies producing Russian gold. Russian gold miners sell most of their gold to commercial banks in Russia, which exports it.

TITANIUM

Russia’s VSMPO Avisma supplies titanium Boeing (NYSE 🙂 and Airbus.

USGS data shows that Russia made 27,000 tonnes and Ukraine produced 5,400 tonnes of titanium sponge last year. They account for 15% of global total.

STEEL

The World Steel Association estimates that Russia produced almost 4% of the world’s total steel output at 76 million tonnes.

Russia’s top producers include Severstal. NLMK. Evraz. MMK. Mechel. About half their product is exported, mostly to Europe.

DIAMONDS

Alrosa under state control, which is the largest rough diamond producer in the world by volume, was responsible for 32.4 million carats of rough diamonds produced in 2021. This represents about 30% of global production. It is a major exporter to India and Belgium.

Fertilizers

Russia is the world’s largest producer of fertilizers containing potash, nitrogen and phosphate – soil and crop nutrients. Russia produces 13% of all global fertilisers in excess of 50 million tonnes per year.

Phosagro is the largest player.

They also export to Brazil and Asia.

GRAINS/OILSEEDS

Russia and Ukraine are the two largest suppliers of wheat, representing 29% each of the global exports. The bulk of these go through the ports at the Black Sea.

Movement of ships on the Azov Sea is already suspended. If shipments from the Black Sea are interrupted, it will cause major importers to scramble for alternative supply sources, especially in North Africa and the Middle East.

Along with Brazil, Argentina, and the United States of America (the United States), Ukraine is the top corn exporter in the world.

They also contribute around 80% to global sunflower oil exports.