Russian port strikes put a third of Ukraine’s harvest at risk of spoilage — Wadephul

Around one-third of Ukraine’s harvest is at risk of spoilage because Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports are preventing large volumes of grain from being exported on time, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said at the German-Ukrainian Municipal Partnership Conference in Berlin.

According to Wadephul, targeted attacks on Ukraine’s port infrastructure have left grain cargoes stranded at ports. He stressed that Ukrainian exports are critical for countries that rely heavily on imported food supplies.

Delays in shipments could have particularly serious consequences for already fragile regions of the world. Wadephul warned that prolonged disruption of grain exports could increase the risk of food shortages and worsen humanitarian pressures.

He has also said that attacks on Ukrainian ports are preventing grain from reaching global markets. Germany has called for an end to attacks in the Black Sea and for the restoration of safe grain and food shipments.

Problems with maritime logistics are forcing Ukraine to rely more heavily on more expensive alternative routes and expand storage capacity. Limited export options are increasing pressure on the domestic market and raising the risk of large grain stocks accumulating inside the country.

Tags: Ukraine, Russia, grain, Ukrainian ports, war