New York, 20 February 2024 (TDI): Ukraine aims to export all grain from its 2023 harvest despite Russian threats and attacks. However, the United Nations warns that the Black Sea export remains fragile.
The British Foreign Office exclaims that Ukraine remains determined to export grain, even after Russia inflicted damage on its ports and infrastructure.
The USAID Administrator Samantha Power issued a written statement that said, “Remarkable to see that Ukraine is on track to export its all grain from its 2023 harvest despite Putin’s repeated attacks on their ports and infrastructure.
We must continue to provide Ukraine with the support they need to enable this type of resilience,” she added.
Reportedly, Ukraine has harvested about 80 million tons of grain and oilseeds in 2023. This includes a surplus of exports which accounts for 50 million tons in the 2023-2024 July-June season.
According to the Ukrainian government, Ukraine’s exports reached 25.2 million metric tons as of February 9th. Moreover, the agricultural ministry did not provide extra data since the website was hacked last month and is currently unavailable.
Also Read: Ukraine-France Leaders discuss Black Sea grain corridor
The British government officials have said that Ukraine continues to ship 6 million tons a month by land and sea. This could lead Ukraine on the track towards exporting all of its 2023-2024 harvest by May.
Furthermore, Ukraine launched a shipping corridor to the Western Black Sea coast near Romania and Bulgaria in August. On the other hand, Russia quit a year-long landmark deal that had allowed the safe transit of 33 million metric tons of Ukraine grain.
In addition, Russia quit the Black Sea grain deal over complaints that not enough Ukrainian grain was going to countries in need.
Lastly, Kyiv faces ammunition shortages and uncertainty over the future of the US military aid which is on hold for months due to the Republican opposition.
