Ukraine’s agricultural exports to Africa exceed 3M tonnes

Ukraine has exported more than 3 million tonnes of agricultural products to African countries since the ‘grain corridor’ was launched.

The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“In general, since the ‘grain corridor’ was launched, about 1 million tonnes of wheat has been shipped to the countries in need, such as Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, etc. Meanwhile, more than 3 million tonnes of Ukrainian-produced agricultural products were sent to Africa during that period,” the report states.

As part of the UN World Food Programme and the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative, the countries in need received 525.8 thousand tonnes of grain from Ukraine.

According to the ministry, thanks to the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative, Ukraine’s wheat exports to such countries as Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen can approach the pre-war voumes.

Over nine months of the marketing year, Ukraine has shipped 293.3 thousand tonnes of wheat to Ethiopia, covering 20% of the country’s import needs in terms of that particular crop. The annual demand is 1.5 million tonnes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

As for Kenya, Ukraine has covered its import needs at 13% (283 thousand tonnes). Annually, this country needs 2.2 million tonnes of imported wheat.

Yemen’s import needs turned to be the least covered. A total of 216.1 thousand tonnes (6%) of Ukrainian-produced wheat was shipped to Yemen, while the country’s demand is 3.8 million tonnes.

The ministry believes that, thanks to international partners involved in the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative, Ukraine still has a chance to reach the pre-war export indicators and prevent famine in Yemen.

A reminder that, between August 1, 2022 and March 26, 2023, Ukraine exported 25.9 million tonnes of agricultural products via the ‘grain corridor’.

Photo: Oleksandr Kubrakov