20 May 2022 13:33

Ukraine joins Roadmap for Global Food Security - Agrarian Policy Ministry

KYIV. May 20 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukraine has joined the Roadmap for Global Food Security, the Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food said on Thursday.

Ukraine signed the aforementioned document on May 18 following a meeting of agriculture ministers at the UN in New York.

Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solskiy said in his speech to agriculture ministers from other countries that, because of the ongoing situation in Ukraine, world prices for wheat and corn have increased by more than 20%, thus leading to hikes in staple food prices in all countries worldwide, the ministry said on its website.

As reported, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is holding negotiations with Russia and other countries, asking them not to hamper the transportation of grain from Ukrainian ports in exchange for easing sanctions on fertilizer exports from Russia and Belarus.

Ukraine exported up to 5 million tonnes of agricultural products every month via the Odesa and Mykolaiv before February 24. However, because of the blockade of these seaports, Ukraine can export only around 500,000 tonnes of grain today, thus facing a decline of approximately $1.5 billion in monthly export revenue.