First Shipment Of Ukrainian Grain Departs From Odesa Port

Topline

A shipment of grains left the Ukrainian port of Odesa on Monday for the first time since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as part of a UN-brokered deal that is expected to ease global food supply concerns.

Key Facts

The shipment was announced in a statement issued by the UN Secretary-General’s office noting that the vessel M/V Razoni was carrying a cargo of 26,527 tonnes of corn.

The vessel will first pass through Istanbul where it will be inspected and then move towards Tripoli, Lebanon, which is currently facing a severe economic and food crisis.

According to the shipping tracker Vessel Finder, the M/V Razoni departed the port of Odesa at 9.55 am local time on Monday.

A UN-Chartered ship is also set to arrive in Odesa sometime in the next few days to pick up 30,000 metric tons of Ukrainian wheat as part of a purchase by the World Food Programme.

Big Number

$10 billion. That is the total value of grain that Ukraine has in storage due to the disruption of shipments amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelensky said last month.

Key Background

The UN and the Turkish government helped broker a deal between Ukraine and Russia last month to allow for the safe passage of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea to avert a brewing global food crisis. As part of the deal, the Russian Navy agreed to end its blockade of ships carrying Ukrainian grain and in return Russia will be allowed to export its own grain and fertilizers. The deal allows Ukraine—considered the breadbasket of Europe and Africa—to export around 22 million tons of grains that have remained in storage following the Russian invasion. The cutting off of Ukrainian grain exports have caused grain prices to skyrocket and has left tens of millions of people in Africa and the Middle East facing the threat of hunger.

Further Reading

Zelenskyy: Ukraine grain blockade will spark famine, migration (Politico)

First Ukraine grain ship since start of war leaves Odesa (Reuters)