Ukrainian farmers have been nothing but resilient during the ongoing war with Russia.
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More than a month ago, Russia withdrew from the “grain agreement”. In the absence of a grain corridor, Ukraine is developing alternative ways of grain export.
Our highest priority is to unblock the Black Sea ports, from which 90% of Ukrainian grain was exported before the full-scale invasion.
“Even in the conditions of war, we grow 2.9 billion bushels of grain and oil crops for the second year in a row. According to our calculations, our exports will amount to 1.8 billion bushels of grain, as well as 368 million bushels of processed products. How do we get it out? It is clear that without a grain agreement and Black Sea ports, it will be very difficult. Last year, 47% of our exports were made from Odessa ports”
What are these alternative ways? The Ukrainian side is testing the operation of temporary corridors from Black Sea ports.
First, the ships that were stuck after the termination of the grain agreement, left the ports.
Currently, the option of receiving new ships to export grain from Ukrainian ports is being tested. The first such vessel was loaded with 734,000 bushels of wheat and reached Turkish territorial waters.
“After using a temporary corridor for the exit of vessels blocked due to Russian aggression from the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, the bulk carriers Resilient Africa and Aroyat have confirmed their readiness to use the entrance route to the port of Chornomorsk... The vessels are sailing under the flag of Palau, and their crew consists of the citizens of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Ukraine.
What does this news mean for Ukraine? The country begins to gradually assert its control in the Black Sea.
“With this successful operation on the passage to the Bosphorus, Ukraine proved that the grain corridor can function without Russia.”
Despite all the obstacles that Russia creates for Ukrainian agriculture, Ukraine is finding ways to export its grain and the final consumers in Asia and Africa will receive their bread.
That report was powered by Latifundist Media, with USAID support provided through Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities (AGRO) Activity implemented in Ukraine by Chemonics International. For more information, visit their website or follow them on social media.
