On 17th July 2023, Russia axed the grain corridor.
โI deeply regret the decision by the Russian Federation to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative โ including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.โ – UN Secretary-General Antรณnio Guterres.
๐ On 17th July 2023 Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Initiative and grain prices surged in response.
๐ขOver 30 million tons of grains and foodstuffs have been exported since the corridor opened a year ago.
โShipments were made from the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.
๐Exports went to 45 countries: 46% to Asia, 40% to Western Europe, 12% to Africa and 1% to Eastern Europe.*
๐พCommodities: corn (51%), wheat (27%), sunflower meal (6%), sunflower oil (5%), barley (4%), rapeseed (3%), and others (4%).*
โ Russia has briefly suspended the deal previously and there are suggestions that the current move to quit the initiative could be temporary.
โBut what if it is long-term, how can grains be exported? Commodities can be rerouted across land to ports in neighbouring countries โ a more costly and lengthy route.
* Source: Office of the UN Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative
Useful reading
- Reuters: Explainer: What happens if Black Sea grain corridor deal is not extended?
- FT: Russia pulls out of Black Sea grain deal
- UN: Data from the Black Sea Grain Initiative Joint Coordination Centre
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