No vessels inspected within grain initiative last week - UCAB

According to Ukrinform, the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) reported this.

It is noted that 60 vessels are awaiting inspection. Currently, only ships that entered earlier are being loaded in seaports. UCAB emphasizes that Russians have practically stopped the possibility of further export of Ukrainian agricultural products by sea.

Last week, 550,300 tonnes of agricultural products were exported through the seaports of Odesa region, which is 36% more than a week ago.

The number of vessels loaded this week was 13, two more than the previous week. These vessels are loaded, but they have not yet passed the necessary inspections to continue to customers.

UCAB says that the volume of shipments through seaports last week remains among the lowest this year.

During the 41st week of the grain corridor's operation, the largest exports were of corn (50% of total exports), wheat (28%), and barley (13%). Ukrainian products were shipped to the countries of Asia (China, Bangladesh, and Türkiye), Africa (Egypt and Sudan), and Europe (Spain).

From August 1, 2022, to May 14, 2023, Ukraine exported 30.2 million tonnes of agricultural products.

As Ukrinform reported, on May 10-11, negotiations on the grain deal were held in Istanbul at the level of deputy defense ministers of Türkiye, Ukraine, Russia, and UN representatives. After the first day of talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that the agreement on the grain corridor in the Black Sea could be extended for at least two more months.

On March 18, 2023, Ukraine, the United Nations, and Türkiye agreed to extend the Initiative for the Safe Transportation of Agricultural Products through the Black Sea. According to Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction - Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov, the agreement was extended for 120 days, but Russia claims that the agreement will be in effect until May 18, 2023.