Russia has ruled out the possibility that the missile attack on the port of Odessa in Ukraine could hinder the agreement signed between the two countries on Friday (22). The agreement aims to allow the export of Ukrainian grain through ports in the Black Sea, including odessa.

Russia said the attack targeted only Ukrainian military infrastructure and should not impact the terms of the contract. Ukraine's military said two Russian missiles hit the area of the pumping station at the port and two others were shot down in the air. The attacks did not hit grain storage areas, nor did they cause significant damage.

Global wheat prices rise sharply on Monday (25), due to uncertainties about the export agreement. And amid the scarcity of global grain supply, the war enters its sixth month.

Fall in grain exports in Ukraine

Grain exports in Ukraine in the first 24 days of July, the first month of the 2022/23 season, fell 39.5% compared to the same period last year, totaling 1.08 million tons, said the minister of agriculture on Monday (25).

Grain exports for the 2021/22 season, which ended on June 30, increased 8.5% compared to the previous season, rising to 48.5 million tons. The increase was prompted by a strong shipment before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

Grain exports in Ukraine have fallen since the start of the war because Black Sea ports have been closed, raising global food prices and sparking fears of shortages in Africa and the Middle East.

Ministry data showed that exports in July included 766,000 tons of corn, 222,000 tons of wheat and 88,000 tons of barley.

Source: Canal Rural