9 September 2022

2 minute read

About 280,000 tonnes of agricultural products will be exported in the near future from Ukrainian ports for the World Food Programme (WFP) under a UN-brokered deal, reported Reuters, citing the Ukrainian infrastructure ministry on Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday Russia and the developing world had been "cheated" by the deal and he wanted to revise the agreement as Ukrainian exports were not going to the world's poorest countries as originally intended. 

Ukraine, however, says around 2.37 million tonnes of food have already left its Black Sea ports, including 1.04 million tonnes for Asian countries and 470,000 tonnes for African states.

"Thanks to partners from the United Nations, another 190,000 tonnes of grain have already been purchased for further export to the states of the African continent," the ministry said in a statement. It gave no details on the other 90,000 tonnes of food to be exported.

The first exports from this tranche will be on the bulk carrier KARIA ANGEL, a vessel chartered by WFP that is undergoing inspection in Istanbul, it said.

"After verification, it will be put to load 30,000 tonnes of wheat in the port of Chornomorsk," the ministry said.

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said on Wednesday Russia had no grounds to review the landmark deal allowing Ukraine to export grain from ports in the Black Sea and that the terms of the wartime agreement were being strictly observed. 

The United Nations, aided by Turkey, brokered a landmark July 22 deal between Russia and Ukraine that restarted Kyiv's Black Sea exports of grain and fertiliser.

Source: Reuters