Ukraine could give the world almost twice as much grain as it does now – 6 million tons of agricultural products per month. But the size of the fleet is insufficient, and the Russian Federation is dragging out inspections of ships.
Ukraine proposes to expand the “grain deal” to the ports of the Mykolaiv region and extend it for at least 120 days. This was announced on Friday, January 17, by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Serhiy Kyslitsa, during a meeting of the UN Security Council.
“The grain initiative should be resumed after it expires on March 18. For at least 120 days, since an unlimited period is provided. Coverage should be expanded to Ukrainian ports in the Mykolaiv region,” Kyslytsya said.
According to the permanent representative, Ukraine could give the world almost twice as much grain as it does now. However, this is hampered by Russia’s policy of delaying inspections of ships and the lack of a new fleet in Turkish territorial waters.
“Last year, 814 ships exported 24.4 million tons of Ukrainian food from the port of Odessa to Asia, Europe and Africa as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This volume would have been much higher if it were not for Russia’s policy of delaying inspections of ships. Due to the shortage of the new fleet and the small number in the territorial waters of Turkey, food exports through the grain corridor do not exceed 3.4 million tons per month, despite the opportunity to give the world 6 million tons of Ukrainian agricultural products,” Kislytsya said.
The permanent representative also added that 86 ships sent for loading are awaiting inspection in the territorial waters of Turkey.
Black Sea Grain Initiative
The Black Sea Initiative Agreement between Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the UN was signed in Istanbul on July 22, 2022. The July agreement created procedures for the safe export of grain from designated ports in an attempt to resolve the world’s food crisis.
Recall that on March 13 it became known that the Russian delegation, after negotiations with high-ranking UN officials, announced that Moscow agreed to continue the “grain deal”, but only for two months.
Earlier, on March 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the position of Western countries regarding the grain deal “dishonest”. According to him, Russian ships with grain and fertilizer as cargo are prohibited from entering the ports of importing countries.
