Vaskov: since October, the efficiency of the Grain Initiative does not exceed 40% of the available capacities
23.02.2023 - 12:00
Since October, the Grain initiative has ensured only 40% of exports due to the russians’ inhibition of ship inspections in the Bosphorus.
“First of all, this leads to a shortage of food and an increase in its value on the world food markets, because Ukraine is the key supplier of sunflower oil and the leader in the export of wheat, corn and barley,” said Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure Yurii Vaskov live on Aljazeera English.
According to Vaskov, since October, the Initiative provides only 40% of exports due to the russians’ inhibition of vessel inspections in the Bosphorus. The russian side unilaterally first reduced the number of inspection teams to 3, and then resorted to prolonging the time of the inspections themselves and checking indicators outside their area of competence.
“As a result, on average we have no more than 6 inspections per day, which is a critically low indicator,” Yuriy Vaskov commented.
The Deputy Minister reminded that the term of the “Grain Agreement” expires on March 18, and the process of negotiations with partners from the initiative, the UN and Turkey, regarding its terms and conditions of extension has already been launched.
“We are waiting for the response of our partners, how they see the solution to the current problems, under what conditions it will be continued. We expect an extension of at least one year. The agricultural market must understand and plan volumes for a long period, not for 120 days.
We also draw the attention of the international community that blocking commercial shipping is a gross violation of international conventions, to which Ukraine is a party. We once again call on the International Maritime Organization of the United Nations, which is the guarantor of the safety of world shipping, to do everything possible and restore commercial shipping in the Black Sea,” Yuriy Vaskov added.
The MIU recalled that due to russia’s actions, a queue of more than 150 vessels formed in the inspection zone in the Bosphorus. The vast majority wait several weeks for the inspection.
