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Since its inception, more than 28 million metric tons of grain have been shipped.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative is once again at risk as both sides level accusations of wrongdoing against each other. The agreement, which began in early August last year and has been extended twice, was designed to keep agricultural products flowing out of Ukraine in a bid to curb world hunger.
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Since its creation, more than 28 million metric tons of grain and other agricultural products have been shipped from the war-torn country, which has been under attack by Russian forces since February 2022. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia is blocking ships from entering and leaving Ukrainian ports and access to inspections, which were halted for two days before resuming this morning.
“Russia is once again blocking Ukraine’s grain from reaching the world, driving up food prices for people everywhere,” Blinken said in a speech at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Summit yesterday. “In recent days, no ships have left Ukraine and more than 50 have been prevented from boarding. Countries around the world depend on this life-saving grain. Russia is breaking its promises to them.”
Russia, meanwhile, said Ukraine was evading the deal by asking ship operators for bribes to register ships and carry out inspections, Reuters reported. Russia has said it will not renew the initiative after May 18 unless restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance that are hurting its agricultural sector are lifted.
Source: Leonardo Gottems | agrolink
