Food exports declining under grain deal, says UN
UN chief calls for continuation of Black Sea grain deal
Thursday, 22 June 2023
UNITED NATIONS, June 21 (TASS): Food exports from Ukrainian ports within the framework of the grain deal declined to 1.3 mln metric tons in May, the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General on the Black Sea Initiative said on Tuesday.
"The Secretary-General is disappointed by the slowing pace of inspections and the exclusion of the port of Yuzhny/Pivdennyi from the Black Sea Initiative. This has resulted in a reduction in the movement of vessels coming in and out of Ukrainian sea ports, leading to a drop in the supply of essential foodstuffs to global markets," the statement reads.
"Food exports through the maritime humanitarian corridor have dropped significantly from a peak of 4.2 million metric tonnes in October 2022 to 1.3 million metric tonnes in May, the lowest volume since the Initiative began last year," the Spokesperson said in the statement.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged the parties to do their utmost to ensure the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allows the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Guterres also called on the parties to accelerate operations, pointing to the reduction in the movement of vessels coming in and out of Ukrainian sea ports, and a drop in the supply of essential foodstuffs to global markets.
Food exports via the Black Sea have fallen from a peak of 4.2 million metric tonnes in October 2022 to 1.3 million metric tonnes in May, the lowest volume since the grain deal came into operation, according to the statement.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed separately by Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul with T?rkiye and the United Nations in July 2022.
The initiative, initially in effect for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days till March 18, 2023. At that point, Russia only agreed to extend the deal for 60 days, till May 18, 2023. On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days