Ukraine doubles food exports despite Russian attacks on ports
Despite Russian attacks on the Black Sea and Danube ports, Ukraine exported approximately 4.6 million metric tonnes of food in July, double the amount from a year ago, Reuters reported on Monday.
The increase in exports in July was noted despite the intensification of Russian attacks on Odesa, a key export hub in the Black Sea basin, and Izmail, the Danube's main port. Ukrainian grain is being transported from both of these ports.
Last year, most of Ukraine's wheat went to Spain, Egypt, and Indonesia, while corn went to Spain and China. The current exports consist of this year's wheat and corn from last year's harvest.
Experts from the consulting firm ASAP, operating in the agricultural industry, believe that the volume of this year's Ukrainian grain exports may fall by as much as 16 million metric tonnes.
Russian attacks on Ukraine's ports
Before Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine exported 7 million metric tonnes of grain monthly exclusively through Black Sea ports, Reuters recalled.
Russia is conducting attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure. "The Russians are fully aware of this and are hitting weak points, deliberately destroying our ability to export food," emphasized Dmytro Barinov from the administration of Ukraine's seaports in an interview with Reuters.
