Ukrainian grain exports over Sept. 1-24 totalled 1.57 million metric tons, down sharply from the 3.21 million tons in the corresponding period last year, agriculture ministry data showed on 25 September, Reuters released. Traders and agricultural unions have said that the blocking of Black Sea ports and recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube River are the main reasons for the reduced exports. The ministry data showed that Ukraine has exported a total of 6.2 million tons of grain so far in the 2023/24 July-June season, versus 7.5 million tons in the same period of the previous season.

Ukrainian grain is looking for exit. Although the European Commission lifted restrictions on the import of Ukrainian grain, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia expectedly introduced a unilateral ban. Slovakia banned the import of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower until the end of this year. And Hungary vetoed 24 products. Bulgarian parliament voted to lift the ban.  According to the announcement on the government’s website, Romania is waiting for an action plan from the Ukrainian side regarding “effective export control and prevention of deformation of the grain market.” And already on its basis, appropriate measures will be taken.

UKRAINE’S GRAIN EXPORT BATTLE

Ukraine has such a plan. We are talking about the licensing of goods that will be exported to 5 neighboring states. They will have to undergo verification and approval by the Ministry of Economy. The Slovak government seems to have accepted this proposal and is ready to open its borders if such a system is effective. Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Mykola Solskyi and his Polish counterpart Robert Telus have discussed Ukraine’s grain exports issue, the Ukrainian government said. Such a scheme has been applying in the past quit successfully. The leaders also agreed that the Polish side would study Ukraine’s export plan and prepare its proposals. The next round of talks between the two sides is set to take place in the coming days.