Ukraine exports about 10 million tons of grain through grain corridor 

The executive director of the Ukrainian Grain Association, Serhii Ivashchenko, said this on Espreso TV. 

On November 3, seven ships with grain left Ukrainian ports. Only one vessel was allowed to pass through the Bosphorus Strait to enter a port of Ukraine.

“In 2022, during the 3 months of operation of the grain corridor, about 10 million tons of Ukrainian grain were exported. In August, there were about 1.5 million, 3.5 million - in September, and 3.5 million - in October. These are quite low indicators. Before the full-scale war, we could export 6-7 million tons per month from all ports. Therefore, of course, we still need to grow and increase exports,” he emphasized.

The executive director of the Ukrainian Grain Association called the negotiations on the export of grain difficult, but expressed hope that they would benefit Ukrainian producers.

Serhii Ivashchenko noted that Ukraine is able to export about 2.5-3 million tons of grain per month by rail, road transport and barge.  During the operation of the grain corridor, these indicators decreased somewhat, because such routes are much more expensive than sea routes, which are the most effective.

According to him, Ukraine is counting on the fact that more ships will leave the ports and there will be no checks in the Bosphorus or they will be selective, because now more than 150-160 ships have been stuck there for the past few weeks, which is causing losses.

Serhii Ivashchenko also expressed hope that Mykolaiv port and the Mykolaiv water area would be included in the initiative, which will make it possible to significantly increase exports.

• On October 29, the Russian Federation "suspended" its obligations within the framework of the agreement on the safe export of grain by Ukraine. At the same time, Zelenskyy said that Russia sought to terminate the agreement back in September.

• The next day, NATO and the EU called on the Russian Federation to restore the validity of the grain agreement. 

• On November 1, the start of the Danube Grain Route project was announced.

• On the same day, Ukraine, the UN and Turkey agreed to restore the grain corridor, but demanded additional security guarantees from the Russian Federation.

• On November 2, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced the start of the grain corridor.

• The Institute of Economic Research noted that in October, Ukraine reached the volume of grain exports, which was until February 24, but the grain corridor is needed.