On Sunday the United Nations, Turkey and Ukraine reached an agreement to allow 16 grain ships to sail in Turkish waters. This was reported by the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) of Istanbul. The hope is to restart Ukrainian grain exports across the Black Sea. This stopped on Saturday because Russia withdrew from the wheat deal.
Russia suspended the wheat deal “indefinitely” after Ukraine allegedly carried out attacks on ships near the Crimean port city of Sevastopol on Saturday. According to Russia, it would be a drone strike against military ships involved in the grain agreement.
UN Secretary General António Guterres is “deeply concerned” and is currently doing everything he can to save wheat, his spokesman said Sunday.
On the main American wheat exchange in Chicago, the price of wheat rose 5.5% on Monday morning (Dutch time). The price of corn rose 2.2% due to greater uncertainty about global supply.
Sunday’s deal covers twelve outbound and four inbound ships. In a statement, the JCC said the three delegations also agreed to inspect another 40 vessels leaving on Monday. According to the JVV, the Russian delegation is aware of the plans.
Ukraine and Russia are the largest exporters
Grain exports from Ukraine stopped after the Russian invasion of that country. After the mediation of Turkey and the UN, Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement in the summer to re-export grain via the Black Sea. Russia and Ukraine are among the largest wheat exporters in the world. The cessation of exports has caused a worldwide increase in food prices. There were fears of acute hunger in Africa and Asia.
