Blocking of the «grain deal» continues

This summer, Russia continues to block the "grain deal" of Ukrainian ports, resulting in a very limited number of ships leaving the ports. According to the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, only 6 ships have left the ports since the beginning of July, and the total volume of cargo loaded was only 215 thousand tons of agricultural products.

Currently, the port of Odesa is completing the loading of 85 thousand tons of grain for Egypt. These are the last two bulk carriers waiting to be loaded. The port of Chornomorsk also has no ships carrying agricultural products. The last grain ships sent to China and Tunisia last week.

In addition, the Pivdennyi port has been out of service for more than two months due to the Russians blocking all ships heading there.

Since June 26, the Russian side has refused to inspect ships heading to Ukrainian ports for loading. Currently, 29 ships that were supposed to deliver more than 1.4 million tons of agricultural products to Asia and Africa are blocked in Turkish territorial waters.

The Vice Prime Minister for Recovery, Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development emphasized that a complete halt to Ukrainian grain exports by sea would lead to higher food prices and an aggravation of the crisis in poor countries.

According to the ministry, 150 ship inspections were planned from June 1 to July 10, but only 70 were conducted due to the refusal of the Russians. The next inspection is scheduled for July 14, but currently only the incoming fleet is in the inspection zone.

Since the start of exports on August 1, 2022, Ukrainian farmers have exported more than 33 million tons of products to 45 countries. Continued blocking of the grain deal by the Russians could seriously affect the situation with grain supplies and the rise in prices on the world market.