Agri-exports from Ukraine’s seaports down by 10% in past week

On week 40 of the Black Sea Grain Initiative’s operation, May 1 through 7, some 404,000 tonnes of agricultural products were exported through the seaports of Odesa region, which is 10% below the figures recorded last week.

That’s according to the press service of the Ukrainian Club of Agrarian Business, Ukrinform reports.

It is noted that from May 1 to 7, eleven bulkers were loaded in the ports of Odesa – the same number as the week before. According to UCAB, these vessels have been loaded and are yet to pass the necessary inspection to continue moving further to customers.

Over the past week, the export volumes included 41% of wheat, 40% of corn, and 13% of sunflower oil Ukrainian products were sent to Europe (Spain and the Netherlands), Asia (Bangladesh, Türkiye, and China), and Africa (Tunisia and Morocco).

Last week’s volume of agricultural products set to be exported through the "grain corridor" was this year’s lowest. The Association emphasizes that the decrease in export volumes comes amid the ongoing blocking of the full-fledged operation of the "grain corridor" on the part of Russia.

In total, from the beginning of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, from August 1, 2022, Ukraine exported 29.7 million tonnes of agricultural products (as of May 7).

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on March 18, 2023, Ukraine, the United Nations, and Türkiye agreed on the continuation of the Initiative for the safe transportation of agricultural products across the Black Sea. According to Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction, Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, the agreement was extended for 120 days.

According to the Ministry, as of May 8, 2023, a total of 90 vessels were awaiting inspection in the territorial waters of Türkiye, of which 62 are bulkers set to be loaded. Inspections of both the incoming and outgoing fleet were suspended due to the actions of the Russian side.