In January, number of “grain corridor” ships crossing Bosphorus daily hallves

In January 2023, an average of two to three vessels pass through the Bosphorus Strait under the "Grain Corridor" initiative per day, which is half as many as in September-October last year, when an average of six ships crossed the strait.

This was stated by the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi during a speech at the Conference of Agriculture Ministers in Berlin, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.

"If in September-October the average monthly passage through the Bosphorus was six vessels (per day – ed.), in January these indicators were halved – to two to three vessels per day. Artificial, contrived ‘violations’ are recorded for these vessels. Under this hypocrisy, the aggressor power hides a single goal: to inflict not only a military defeat on Ukraine, but also an economic one; to weaken the financial position of our international partners as well, and also to cause a migration crisis, which will exacerbate existing problems," he said.

Solskyi recalled that even in difficult conditions since the outset of the full-scale war, Ukraine has exported more than 40 million tonnes of grain, oil, and processed products, providing food for hundreds of millions around the world.

The minister emphasized that now Ukraine needs the support of the international community and systemic solutions in the matter of sabotage of the "grain corridor" by the Russian side. He also named three global strategic points, without which the development of bot the Ukrainian agricultural market and the global one is impossible.

Solskyi noted that the first point is to end the war through the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula. The second is the exchange of modern growing technologies. According to the minister, net exporter countries with advanced agricultural technologies could share their experience with developing nations. This will accelerate the development of farming and contribute to solving the problem of hunger.

"The third is the elimination of any barriers on the food market. There should be no trade restrictions for producers of products, including processed ones. Everyone must have access to food," said the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.

He added that barrier-free trade also applies to the work of the "grain corridor" because the food security of the world directly depends on its smooth operation.

"Russia deliberately limits the export of Ukrainian food. There are no objective reasons for this. This is part of their hybrid war," the minister emphasized.

As reported by Ukrinform, from October 2022, Ukrainian ports are forced to work at less than half of their capacity, while the volume of grain shortage on the world market is estimated at 2-3 million tonnes every month. At the same time, there are almost 120 vessels awaiting inspection in the Bosphorus. The average waiting time is from two to five weeks, resulting in losses for shipowners worth about $20,000 for each day of downtime.