Africa, first affected by the extension of the Russian-Ukrainian agreement on cereals

Cargo ships carrying grain await inspection under the UN-Turkey agreement between Russia and Ukraine here on the Bosphorus in Istanbul, December 11, 2022. © Yoruk Isik / Reuters

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The July 2022 agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain was therefore extended on Saturday, March 18. On the other hand, Kiev and Moscow have not agreed on the duration of this extension. Ukraine claims it is extended for 120 days, but Russia estimates it is no more than 60 days. Whatever its duration, this agreement, which allows ships to leave Ukrainian ports safely, is a good thing for Africa, which depends on Russian and Ukrainian grain.

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At the United Nations, the relief is palpable, after the renewal of this agreement. It should be noted that Ukrainian cereals such as wheat, maize and sunflower are essential for the World Food Programme (WFP), for example, which mainly buys Ukrainian grains for distribution in the form of food aid.

This is the case for Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan and Kenya, countries that are experiencing extreme drought and where famine has reappeared.

► Read also: Ukraine delivers cereals to relieve food tension in the Horn of Africa

In general, the majority of Ukrainian cereals go to rich and emerging countries, but the easing on prices that the July agreement has allowed and that its extension is perpetuated is felt mainly in Africa and low-income countries.

Recall that the war in Ukraine had led to a rise of about 30% in food prices on the continent, according to the UN, before these prices decreased, after July 2022.

Thus, the extension is the guarantee of price stability and, for a country like Egypt, which is 80% dependent on Russian wheat and Ukrainian wheat, this is good news.

Finally, note that this Black Sea grain initiative has enabled Ukraine to export more than eighteen million tonnes of cereals since last August.

" READ ALSO – The agreement on Ukrainian cereals extended but for how long?

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  • Africa
  • Russia
  • Ukraine
  • Agriculture and Fisheries
  • Trade and Commerce