KYIV (Reuters) – Grain exports from Ukraine have accelerated so far in September, but volumes are still well below last season’s levels, according to agriculture ministry data.
Ukraine’s grain exports have plummeted since the start of the war as the Black Sea ports, a key route for shipments, were closed, spiking global food prices and sparking famine fears in Africa and the Middle East.
Three Black Sea ports were unblocked at the end of July, pursuant to an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.
The ministry’s data showed that Ukraine exported 1.5 million tons of grain in the first 13 days of September, 34% less than 2.3 million tons exported in the same period a year ago. In the first week of September, exports decreased by 40 percent.
The ministry did not give a reason for the increase, but analysts say the reopened ports are helping to boost shipments from Ukraine.
Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry said on Wednesday that 134 cargo ships with 3.1 million tons of various agricultural products on board had left Ukrainian ports as part of the grain deal.
Agriculture ministry data showed that Ukraine’s grain exports totaled 5.8 million tons so far in the 2022/23 July-June season, corresponding to 10.9 million tons in the same period in 2021/22.
The data showed that exports so far in the July 2022-June 2023 season included 3.4 million tons of corn, 1.83 million tons of wheat and 525,000 tons of barley.
The government said Ukraine could harvest at least 50 million tons of grain this year compared to a record 86 million tons in 2021 due to loss of soil and lower grain yields to Russian forces.
