Russian strikes on Black Sea ports are putting at risk the export of more than 30 million tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural products this season.
This was reported by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.
Because of the shelling, farmers risk losing out on more than $10bn, which would significantly complicate preparations for the spring sowing campaign.
The consequences of blocking maritime exports for Ukraine and global food security were outlined by First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Denys Bashlyk. He presented these figures during an online meeting with ambassadors of member states to the FAO, the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Talks focused on the security situation in the Black Sea and ways to support Ukrainian exports. Participants are also considering convening an extraordinary meeting of UN agency representatives in Rome to assess in detail the impact of the disruption to maritime transport.
- Recently, Taras Vysotskyi, head of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, said that Ukraine’s agricultural sector continues to operate and export products despite logistical constraints. In particular, 131,000 tonnes of oil were exported in the first 15 days of September — about 62% of the potential volume.