Ukraine is improving its cargo transportation capabilities: in April 2024, we exported 9.6 million tonnes of cargo by sea, which is almost the same as in February 2022. This was reported in an interview with LB.ua by Yuliya Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy.
"In April 2024, we exported 9.6 million tonnes by sea. This is almost at the level of February 2022. As for exports by sea, July 2023 was the last month of Russia's participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative. In that month, we exported only 503 thousand tonnes of grain. Russia allowed only 13 vessels to leave Ukrainian seaports. For comparison, in August 2023, Ukraine launched an alternative corridor. Since then, 1,737 vessels have used the route. In the first 10 days of this month alone, we have already exported more by sea than in July 2023. When we don't have any sabotage from Russia, the sea routes work effectively," Svyrydenko said.
Despite these developments, the minister notes that the food security system is still fragile - Russia continues to attack infrastructure, storage facilities, and the energy system.
"Therefore, during the Peace Summit, we tried to develop practical actions and measures to be taken to ensure that the war that Russia started in Ukraine does not affect the level of hunger in the world," the official said. According to her, the forecast for agricultural production this year is 76.1 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds.
"All [participants of the Peace Summit] noted that under no circumstances freedom of navigation shouldn’t be blocked. This applies to resources such as fertilisers or fuel. If these basic things are secured, we will be able to work together with our partners to improve domestic production in countries that import food, to ensure the continuity of these supplies," the minister concluded.