The seller of unpredictability

Turkey is using administrative delays at the Dardanelles Strait to slow shipments heading to Russian ports, whilst allowing other traffic through without hindrance. The country is exploiting its control over this critical shipping route by conducting extra inspections and document checks on Russian-bound cargo, effectively restricting trade without formally violating international shipping conventions. For wine professionals, this demonstrates how geopolitical tensions and infrastructure control can disrupt supply chains and market access, particularly affecting producers and traders in Russia and the Black Sea region.