Ukraine is also known as the breadbasket of Europe. Agricultural cultivation will continue as much as possible even after the Russian invasion. The harvest can now also be exported via previously blocked routes.
According to Ukraine, more and more grain is being shipped via the Danube. On Saturday alone, eleven ships were heading for the Ukrainian Danube ports of Izmail, Reni and Ust-Dunaisk – more than at any time since the war began six months ago, the Infrastructure Ministry said. They have therefore loaded a total of 45,000 tons.
According to the ministry, more than four million tons of grain have been shipped out of the country via the Ukrainian Danube ports since March. After the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Black Sea ports of the attacked country and thus important export routes were initially blocked for months.
On July 22, Ukraine and Russia, brokered by the UN, each separately signed an agreement with Turkey to allow exports from Ukraine from three ports. It is estimated that more than 20 million tons of grain products are stored in Ukraine. The coordination center established in Istanbul with the grain deal at the end of July announced at the weekend that a million tons of grain and other foodstuffs had been exported via the Black Sea route to date. A total of 103 ships have set sail, 46 from Ukrainian ports and 57 towards Ukraine.
In addition to the Black Sea, Ukraine can also ship grain via the Danube. However, this way is considered to be more cumbersome. Ships first have to travel up the Danube to Cernavoda and from there via the Danube-Black Sea Canal towards the port of Constanta. The railway in Romania is possible, but still insufficient.
