Ukraine doubles food export despite intensified Russian attacks
Despite Russian attacks on the Black Sea and Danube ports, Ukraine exported 4.2 million tonnes of food in July, double the amount from a year ago, Reuters reported on Monday.
The increase in exports in July was noted despite the intensification of Russian attacks on Odesa, a key export hub in the Black Sea basin, and Izmail, the Danube's main port. Ukrainian grain is being transported from both of these ports.
Last year, most of Ukraine's wheat went to Spain, Egypt, and Indonesia, while maize went to Spain and China. The current export consists of this year's wheat and maize from last year's harvest.
Experts from the consulting firm ASAP, operating in the agricultural industry, believe that the volume of this year's Ukrainian grain exports may fall by as much as 14.5 million tonnes.
Russian attacks on Ukraine's ports
Reuters recalled that before Russia's full-scale invasion, until February 2022, Ukraine exported 6.4 million tonnes of grain monthly exclusively through Black Sea ports.
Russia is conducting attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure. The Russians are fully aware of this and are hitting weak points, deliberately destroying our ability to export food, emphasised Dmytro Barinov from the administration of Ukraine's seaports in an interview with Reuters.
