Ukraine: 2023-34 grain export lagging behind so far

Ukraine’s grain exports in the 2023-24 season so far have reached 7.8 million tonnes, compared to 11.5 million tonnes at roughly the same time last year, Reuters reported, citing data from the agriculture ministry.

The ministry said 1.05 million tonnes of grain were exported in the first 17 days of October. Ukraine exported 2.83 million tonnes from Oct. 1-21 a year ago.

Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure and ships since July have destroyed nearly 300,000 tonnes of grain.

The exported volume included 3.99 million tonnes of wheat, 3.04 million tonnes of corn and 654,000 tonnes of barley.

Russia quit the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July, and since then its military forces have hit six civilian ships and 150 port and grain facilities during 17 attacks, destroying crops headed for export, said Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov. The initiative was brokered by the United Nations and Turkish government to get grain moving through the Black Sea region again following Russia’s invasion on Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine is expected to harvest 79 million tonnes of grain and oilseed in 2023, with 2023-24 exportable surplus totals of about 50 million tonnes.

19 October, 2023