Cereals agreement: Russian withdrawal risks weighing on the food crisis

The Russian withdrawal from the so-called Black Sea agreement, which had made it possible to revive Ukrainian grain exports and ease market tensions, could weigh on the food crisis in the world, particularly in low-income countries.

Danil SEMYONOV / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

3 mins

The Russian withdrawal from the so-called Black Sea agreement, which had made it possible to revive Ukrainian grain exports and ease market tensions, could weigh on the food crisis in the world, particularly in low-income countries.

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Despite Moscow's accusations that this agreement is a "

" that does not really benefit the countries in need,

risks rekindling fears of famine situations in certain countries, particularly on the African continent.

Almost a third of Ukrainian grain was exported to low-income countries.

Towards Egypt first, then Iran, India and East Africa (Kenya, Somalia and Sudan).

Some 26% go to middle-income countries: Turkey and China in the lead.

The remaining 47% goes to high-income countries: the European Union, but also to other regions of the world: South Korea and Israel.

A detailed breakdown in mid-September by the Joint Coordination Center (JCC), responsible for overseeing the Black Sea agreement.

The Black Sea Agreement

, inaugurated on July 27 in Istanbul, had allowed, despite the Ukrainian conflict, the resumption of Ukrainian grain and fertilizer exports to international markets.

Thanks to this mechanism in force since August 1, more than 9 million tonnes of cereals and other agricultural products have been exported from Ukraine.

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in

Black Sea, grain merchant traffic suspended on Sunday

For a specialist in agricultural markets contacted by

of RFI's economic department, the import of Ukrainian cereals by the European Union is "

" and therefore ultimately also necessary for international buyers who thus go to be able to obtain supplies in Europe at affordable prices.

In addition to these exports, which are made within the framework of traditional trade, there are those destined for humanitarian aid, organized by the World Food Programme.

By mid-September, seven ships had departed or were about to depart for the Horn of Africa, Yemen and Afghanistan. 

The agreement put in place strict procedures

The July grain deal was based on a mechanism that allowed the export of Ukrainian goods from three key ports in the country: Chornomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhne/Pivdenny.

The joint coordination center is located in Istanbul.

It consists of representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations.

It has established strict procedures.

Ships undergo an initial inspection off Istanbul to ensure they are empty of cargo.

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Russian withdrawal from the grain agreement: Turkish diplomacy put to the test

Inspections which continued on Sunday and will continue this Monday, October 31, despite Russia's suspension of the agreement, Turkish authorities said.

However, no ships will leave Ukraine, they said.

The joint coordination center had more than 170 cargo ships awaiting inspection off Istanbul this week, some for nearly two weeks. 

Since August, after inspection, the boats have been heading to Ukrainian ports to be loaded, then heading in the opposite direction in the humanitarian maritime corridor of the Black Sea.

A corridor monitored by the joint coordination mechanism to ensure "

".

A final stage of inspection is planned off Istanbul, before the boats can finally deliver the Ukrainian cargoes. 

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