Russia’s repudiation of a deal allowing the export of food crops from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea has led to a surge in grain prices, leaving many hungry. Russia has now targeted Ukraine’s grain exports by bombing the ports around Odessa from which they are shipped. The indiscriminate nature of the bombings has caused damage to not only the ports, but also to the city’s cathedrals. Before the war, Ukraine exported around 45 million tonnes of grain per year, with 90% of it going through ports on the Black Sea. Since the bombings, these exports have stopped, causing a need to find new outlets for Ukraine’s grain exports.
Exports by road, rail, and river barge have been increasing, but there is not enough capacity to replace maritime shipments. These alternatives are also more expensive in terms of logistics and slower. The increase in land exports has caused grain prices to slump in neighboring countries, frustrating farmers. Agriculture accounted for over 10% of Ukraine’s GDP and almost 15% of employment before the war. Many farms are still operating, and the wheat harvest is currently underway. However, the destruction of storage capacity due to the Russian bombings has created an urgent need to find new outlets for Ukraine’s grain exports.
The Russian bombardment of Ukraine’s grain ports has caused significant damage to both the ports and the city’s cathedrals. This has put a stop to Ukraine’s grain exports, leaving many hungry and causing a surge in grain prices. While exports by road, rail, and river barge have increased, there is not enough capacity to replace the maritime shipments that were previously made. These alternative methods are also more expensive and slower. The increase in land exports has led to a slump in grain prices in neighboring countries, angering farmers. Agriculture was a significant contributor to Ukraine’s GDP and employment before the war, and many farms are still operating. However, the destruction of storage capacity due to the bombings has created an urgent need to find new outlets for Ukraine’s grain exports.
