Unblocking Mykolaiv ports would allow Ukraine to double agri-exports - minister

If the ports of Mykolaiv are ultimately unblocked, Ukraine will double the export of agricultural products.

That’s according to the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mykola Solskyi, who spoke on the air of the national telethon, Ukrinform reports.

"Mykolaiv is of great importance because it is comparable in size to the ports of Great Odesa, and with its unblocking, Ukraine could nearly double its exports, make logistics cheaper, and, accordingly, allow Ukrainian farmers to get more money," said Solskyi.

According to the minister, it's not only the reopening of Mykolaiv ports that is important but also the number of bulkers passing through the Bosphorus. Because if there aren't enough of them, it doesn't matter how many ports are open as it won’t help improve the export situation.

"It is also important to talk about those who are ready to man these vessels because the danger factor remains significant," Solskyi added.

As reported earlier, Ukraine appealed to the UN and Türkiye, both of which are signatories and guarantors of the Black See Grain Initiative, with a proposal to include Mykolaiv ports in the existing agreement, but no positive response has been received just yet.

Photo: Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine