Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
25 July 2023 | 12:43 CAT

Image: World Grain

The Black Sea Grain Initiative – a deal brokered between Russia and Ukraine by the United Nations and Turkey – has allowed 33.9 million metric tonnes of food to be exported from war-torn Ukraine since August.

According to the Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul, more than half of that grain went to developing countries, including those getting relief from the World Food Programme (WFP).

But Russia announced the wartime accord, which had been extended several times, was terminated on Tuesday.

Thembisa Fakude, a Senior Research fellow at Afraisd, unpacks the Black Sea Grain deal, which has now broken down.

According to Fakude, it is not good news for the world’s food supply as most of the grain supply for various countries comes from that part of the world.

The agreement, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in July of last year following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, was a rare diplomatic breakthrough designed to avert a global food crisis.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative has been repeatedly extended in short increments amid increasing discontent from Russia over perceived restrictions limiting the full dispatch of its grain and fertilizer exports.

The Ukrainian Grain Association plans to export grain through Europe via its Danube River ports.

However, less grain could be exported this way, and it would cost more and take longer.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.