Monthly Export Volume Plummets from 6 Million Tons to 2 Million Tons
Turkey Intervenes but... Russia and Ukraine Still at Odds
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the Black Sea's major grain export ports have been blockaded due to the Ukraine crisis, exacerbating the global food crisis, the Ukrainian government has announced that it will take six months just to remove the mines to resume grain exports. With mine-clearing operations expected to be completed by the end of this year, concerns are rising that the sharp rise in grain prices will continue for some time.
According to the British daily The Guardian on the 7th (local time), Ukrainian officials estimate that it will take six months just to remove the mines installed in the waters around the Black Sea ports. Markiyan Dmytrasevych, advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Agriculture and Food, explained, "Thousands of mines are floating around the Black Sea ports," adding, "If these mines are removed, the operation will take until the end of the year."
With the resumption of grain exports expected to be difficult at least until the end of the year, concerns are growing that the surge in grain prices will persist for some time. Since the outbreak of the war, maritime export routes from Ukraine's major ports have been blocked, and it is estimated that more than 20 million tons of grain nationwide remain unsold and stockpiled.
Currently, Ukraine is estimated to be able to export up to 2 million tons of grain per month. Before Russia's invasion, Ukraine exported an average of 6 million tons of grain monthly. This means that Ukraine, the world's fourth-largest grain exporter, has seen its grain exports reduced to one-third.
As a result, global grain prices have been soaring. Africa, which imports nearly 40% of its grain from Russia and Ukraine, has seen grain prices surge by about 23%. Not only Middle Eastern and African countries but also Turkey, which has maintained cooperative relations with Russia, is intensifying its diplomacy as a mediator amid the deepening food crisis.
Turkey has expressed willingness to assist with mine-clearing operations and is mediating between the Russian and Ukrainian governments, but Ukraine is taking a cautious stance. Ukraine is concerned that if the mines are removed, major ports such as Odesa could be exposed to Russian attacks, making it difficult to find common ground.
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