Ukrainian sea corridor boosts grain export despite Russian siege
12:19 PM EDT, August 16, 2024
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 49 million tons 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.
He said over 2,300 ships entered Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea over the year. The cargo turnover amounted to over 71 million tons, and approximately 49 million tons 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 factors: the successful actions of the Security and Defense 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 4.6 million tons 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.
