Ukraine grain exports fall 68.5% so far 2022/23 season – ministry

Ukraine’s grain exports plunged 68.5% year-on-year to 163,000 tonnes in the first six days of July, the first month of the new 2022/23 season, said Ukraine’s agriculture ministry on Wednesday.

Grain exports for the 2021/22 season ending June 30 rose 8.5% to 48.5 million tonnes, driven by strong shipments prior to the 24 February invasion.

Ukraine’s grain exports have slumped since the start of the war as its Black Sea ports – the key route for shipments – have been largely closed off, driving up global food prices and prompting fears of shortages in Africa and the Middle East.

The ministry data showed the exports in July included 128,000 tonnes of corn, 24,000 tonnes of wheat and 10,000 tonnes of barley.

The government has said Ukraine could harvest at least 50 million tonnes of grain this year, compared with a record 86 million in 2021, due to the loss of land to Russian forces and lower grain yields.

Tags: shortages, Ukraine, exports, grain, barley, shipments, global food prices, Black Sea ports