Chicago wheat futures recorded their first monthly gain in three months, even though they fell on Friday. The contract closed at $6.39‑¼ a bushel, down 24‑¼ cents from the previous close, after having surged to $6.86‑½ a bushel in the session before. This monthly improvement marks the first positive monthly change since three months earlier. The decline on Friday was attributed to technical trading pressure, month‑end liquidation, and heightened concerns over Black Sea supply disruptions stemming from the Russia‑Ukraine conflict. Reports indicated that Ukrainian drones attacked the port of Taman in Russia on the Kerch Strait, a key conduit between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Analysts cautioned that shipowners, insurers and exporters may become more reluctant to operate in the region, which could lift freight costs and slow the movement of grain shipments. Brian Splitt, partner at AgMarket.net, noted that soybeans and corn also followed the downward trend. The Chicago corn contract eased 4½ cents to $4.64 a bushel, and soybeans slipped further, underscoring broader market weakness. The article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.