Ukrainian ports have been working at less than half of their capacity because of the war, leaving global grain markets short of an estimated 2-3 million tonnes a month, Danylo Hetmantsev, chair of the Verkhovna Rada’s finance committee, said on January 22, 2023, Ukrinform reported.
11 million tonnes
“Since October, Ukrainian ports have been forced to work at less than half their capacity,” Hetmantsev wrote on Telegram. He estimated the total shortfall in grain deliveries to world markets from October to January at more than 11 million tonnes.
Queues at the Bosphorus
About 120 vessels were waiting for inspection near the Bosphorus, with average waits of two to five weeks, he said. Ship owners lose at least $30,000 for each day of delay.
Hetmantsev said Russia’s attempts to create “hunger games” would not stop Ukraine.
The grain deal
Under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the UN and Turkey in July 2022, ships carrying Ukrainian grain are inspected in Turkish waters by joint teams including Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and UN officials. Ukraine has accused Russia of deliberately slowing inspections, which Moscow denies. Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exporters of grain and sunflower oil.
Sources
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