Exports of agri-products from Ukrainian seaports decrease by 45% over week - UCAB

During the 49th week of the grain corridor, from July 3 to July 9, 2023, 151,800 tonnes of agricultural products were exported through the seaports of Odesa region, which is 45% less than the previous week.

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

From July 3 to July 9, 4 vessels were loaded in Ukrainian seaports, which is 2 units less than the previous week. These vessels are loaded but they have not yet passed the necessary inspection to continue moving.

During the 49th week of the grain corridor operation, the largest exports were of corn (59% of the total exports), wheat (26%), and sunflower press cake (15%). Ukrainian products were shipped to China, Türkiye, Tunisia, and France.

UCAB emphasizes that since the end of June, not a single vessel has been inspected to enter Ukrainian seaports. The current agreement expires on July 18, 2023. But the work of the grain corridor is being slowed down as much as possible by Russia in advance of this date.

The entire agricultural market is currently awaiting the fate of the agreement, as the harvest has begun, and the issue of exports is becoming particularly relevant.

Since the start of the grain corridor, from August 1, 2022, to July 9, 2023, Ukraine has exported 32.8 million tonnes of agricultural products.

As Ukrinform reported, 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. The agreement was extended for 120 days. But Russians claimed that the agreement would be valid until May 18, 2023.

On May 17, Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration - Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, said that the agreement would be in effect until July 18, 2023.