UN officials are working to try to revive the Black Sea grain deal, which Russia quit a year after it was brokered by the UN and Turkey – complaining that its own food and fertilizer exports faced obstacles and that not enough Ukrainian grain was going to countries in need.
While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions imposed after the invasion, Russia has said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have hindered shipments. To convince Russia to agree to the Black Sea deal last year, UN officials said they would help facilitate Russian exports.
Ukraine launched what it calls a temporary export corridor in August to allow agricultural exports as an alternative arrangement. More than 700,000 metric tons of grain have left Ukrainian ports via the new route.
Nearly 33 million metric tons of Ukraine grain were exported under the Black Sea deal.
Source: CNA
