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After a months-long embargo that fueled a growing global food crisis, Russia and Ukraine agreed Friday to resume grain exports from Ukraine — but a strike on the port of Odesa on Saturday cast doubt on Moscow’s commitment to the deal.
Ukraine and Russia are world leaders in grain, cooking oil, and fertilizer production. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused price increases and food shortages around the world.
The agreement, which consists of two agreements brokered by the UN and helped facilitate by Turkey, was a serious international accomplishment after world leaders and humanitarian organizations had been warning for months about rising hunger, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
But, less than a day later, missile strikes on Odesa port infrastructure drew condemnation from US, UN, and Ukrainian officials, who suspected Russia of jeopardizing the agreement. Experts also cautioned that resuming Ukraine’s grain exports by itself would not fix the world’s growing food crisis.
How has the Ukrainian conflict impacted global food supplies?
Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports, as well as the consequences of Western sanctions on Moscow, increased global food prices, which were already high due to the pandemic and the effects of climate change.
The war raised bread prices in the Middle East and North Africa, an area that relies heavily on Russian and Ukrainian grain, causing huge queues at bakeries in Tunisia and prompting Egypt’s government to intervene in its bread markets to quell social unrest.
According to aid groups, the war in Sub-Saharan Africa has pushed Somalia into famine and caused a “massive shortage” of bread and oil in Ethiopia this spring. Furthermore, higher nutrient prices have harmed farmers and put at risk other crops all over the world.
Ukraine Grain Agreement:
The agreement is made up of parallel agreements signed by Russia and Ukraine with the United Nations and Turkey. Ukraine had expressed concern that Russia used the Black Sea corridors to release port attacks.
The grain agreement prohibits parties from launching “any attacks against commercial ships and other civilian vessels and port facilities” in connection with the initiative. Russia’s attack on Odesa on Saturday targeted infrastructure facilities but not grain silos, according to Ukraine’s military.
The agreement does not include widespread demining of the Black Sea, but it does state that if necessary, patrol boats from another country will be dispatched to move shipping lanes.
The grain agreement is valid for 120 days and can be enlarged. The other agreement is intended to facilitate Russia’s export of grain and fertilizer.
