Ukrainian grain exports in March were four times less than February levels, due to the Russian military operation, the economy ministry said on Sunday.

March grain shipments overseas included 1.1 million tonnes of corn, 309,000 tonnes of wheat, and 118,000 tonnes of sunflower oil, the ministry added.

Ukraine was the world's fourth-largest grain exporter in the 2020/21 season, according to International Grains Council data, with most of its commodities shipped out via the Black Sea.

But with conflict raging along much of the coast, traders are being forced to transport more grain by rail.

(With input from Reuters)