November 24, 2023

UN warns of potential impact on Ukraine's wheat production amid attacks and export route blockades

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) expressed concern that Ukraine's wheat production may face challenges meeting domestic and export demand in the future, due to persistent attacks on food infrastructure and the blockade of Black Sea export routes, Today Online reported.

According to Matthew Hollingworth, WFP's Ukraine director, a forthcoming report from the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) highlighted 31 documented attacks on Ukraine's grain production and export facilities since mid-July. Of particular concern are the 28 attacks in Odesa oblast, home to crucial Black Sea and Danube River terminals vital for global trade.

Addressing the UN Security Council, Hollingworth said that continued attacks on food infrastructure and the blockage of sea export routes could significantly impact agricultural production in the years to come. In a worst-case scenario, this could result in Ukraine's wheat production falling short of both domestic and export demand.

In response to concerns raised, Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia clarified that Moscow targets military infrastructure rather than civilian facilities.

The ongoing conflict has led to challenges in the global food supply, with both Ukraine and Russia being major grain exporters. Russia, additionally, is a significant supplier of fertilizer worldwide.

Hollingworth highlighted Ukraine's pre-war role, constituting 9% of global wheat exports, 15% of maize, and 44% of sunflower oil. The disruption caused by the conflict has prompted efforts to revive the Black Sea grain deal, initially brokered by the United Nations and Turkey. Russia exited the deal in July, citing obstacles to its own food and fertilizer exports.

UN officials are working to revive the Black Sea grain deal, which facilitated the export of nearly 33 million metric tonnes of Ukrainian grain. Challenges and tensions persist, making the revival of the agreement difficult. As an alternative arrangement, Ukraine introduced a temporary export corridor in August, allowing over 700,000 metric tonnes of grain to leave Ukrainian ports.

-      Today Online