In a move promised by President Vladimir Putin, Russia has commenced the delivery of 200,000 tonnes of free grain to six African nations, including Burkina Faso and Somalia.
Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev confirmed the departure of ships from Russian ports, with additional shipments bound for Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Mali, and the Central African Republic. This initiative follows Russia’s withdrawal from the UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal, aimed at addressing global food shortages.
After the withdrawal, Russia has faced criticism for airstrikes on Ukrainian ports and grain storage facilities, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of cereals.In response to the collapsed deal, Ukraine established a “humanitarian corridor” along the western Black Sea coast.
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According to a Ukrainian official, 151 ships have utilized this alternative route since its inception in August, facilitating the shipment of 4.4 million metric tonnes of cargo, including 3.2 million tonnes of grain.
Ukraine, a major grain producer and exporter, remains committed to sustaining its economy through grain exports, anticipating a 5% growth this year despite a 2022 economic contraction of about one-third.