WASHINGTON, D.C.: Global prices for wheat and corn soared on Tuesday after a major dam in Ukraine collapsed, renewing market fears about the fragility of the country's ability to ship food to Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia as it fights a war with Russia.

Wheat prices gained 2.4 percent in early trading on Tuesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, to $6.39 a bushel. The cost of corn rose more than 1 percent, to $6.04 a bushel, and oats gained 0.73 percent, to $3.46 per unit. Prices were higher earlier in the day but faded.