A top Ukrainian official said on Friday that talks to prolong the UN-backed plan that has allowed Ukraine to transport grain from ports blocked by Russia since its invasion will begin in a week, Reuters reported. Grain was made available for shipping from three Ukrainian ports in July thanks to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was mediated by the United Nations and Türkiye.
The accord was extended for a further 120 days in November, and it is due for renewal once more in March. Nevertheless, Russia has indicated that it is dissatisfied with several components of the arrangement and has requested the lifting of sanctions that hinder its agricultural exports.
“Negotiations on extending the grain corridor will begin in a week and then we will understand the positions of all parties,” Ukrainian deputy infrastructure minister Yuriy Vaskov said during a grain conference. “I think common sense will prevail and the corridor will be extended.”
According to Reuters, Russia has been charged by Ukraine with delaying inspections of ships transporting agricultural products from Ukraine, which has resulted in decreased shipments and losses for traders.
In the past, Russia has refuted the allegations, claiming that it is carrying out every requirement outlined in the grain export agreement, Al Arabiya reports.
Due to a reduced crop and logistical challenges brought on by the Russian invasion, Ukrainian grain exports for the 2022–2023 growing season—which extends through June—have decreased 29% to 29.2 million tonnes as of Feb. 13.
According to the grain traders’ association UGA, the harvest of grains and oilseed crops in Ukraine is predicted to drop from 72.7 million tonnes in 2022 to 64.8 million tonnes in 2023. The union estimated that during the 2023–2024 marketing season, wheat exports might reach 14 million tonnes, and corn exports 20 million tonnes.
