KYIV, (Reuters) - Ukraine's grain exports plunged 43% year-on-year to 1.41 million tonnes in June, the agriculture ministry said yesterday, highlighting the damage being inflicted on a key sector of the economy by Russia's invasion.

Still, grain exports for the 2021-22 season ending June 30 rose 8.5% to 48.5 million tonnes, driven by strong shipments prior to the Feb. 24 invasion, the data showed.

Ukraine's grain exports have slumped since the start of the war as its Black Sea ports - the key route for shipments - have been largely closed off, driving up global food prices and prompting fears of shortages in Africa and the Middle East

The ministry data showed wheat exports rose to 18.7 million tonnes in the 2021/22 season from 16.6 million a year earlier.