Ukrainian sea corridor drives 44M tonnes grain export surge
16 August 2024 14:46
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at Friday's government meeting that over 2,300 ships entered Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea during the year the Ukrainian Sea Corridor was in operation, and approximately 44 million tonnes of grain were exported from Ukraine.
- From the first day of the invasion, Russia did everything to block Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. In this way, the enemy put pressure on Ukraine's economy while also pressuring our allies, creating a threat to global food security. Therefore, one of Ukraine's greatest victories last year was the opening of the Ukrainian Sea Corridor - emphasized Shmyhal.
According to him, over 2,300 ships entered Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea over the year, the cargo turnover amounted to over 64 million tonnes, and approximately 44 million tonnes of grain were exported from Ukraine.
All of this had a positive impact on various sectors of our economy and on the economy as a whole. Ukrainian exporters increased physical sales of their goods by 35% in the first half of 2024. We have reached pre-war export levels - emphasized the prime minister.
He stated that this result was made possible by three things: the successful actions of the Security and Defence Forces in the Black Sea, a unique war risk insurance initiative for merchant ships, and the rebuilding of Ukrainian port infrastructure and investments in its development.
Grain exports from Ukraine in July
On Monday, Reuters reported that despite Russian attacks on ports on the Black Sea coast and the Danube, Ukraine exported 4.2 million tonnes of food in July, which is twice as much as the previous year.
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 main port on the Danube. Ukrainian grain is 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. This year's exports include wheat and corn from last year's harvest.
