Ukrainian grain traders asking govt to arrange grain export corridor via Moldova

MOSCOW. June 14 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Grain Association has asked the government to arrange a corridor for transporting grain to Danube ports via Moldova's Palanca border crossing point, which has not been previously used for exports of agricultural products.

The Ukrainian Grain Association has proposed said route as an alternative to that passing via the Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky railway bridge, which has been damaged and is not functioning now, Ukrainian media reported with reference to the association's website on Tuesday.

Before February 24, Ukraine exported 95% to 98% of agricultural products via seaports in the amount of 5 to 6 million tonnes a month, while now, as the Black Sea ports have been blocked, it can ship no more than 1.5 million tonnes of agricultural products via alternative routes, the association said.

"Most of grain exports are currently going through Ukrainian ports on the Danube River. Unfortunately, one of the routes to reach the Danube ports is the bridge across the Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky Estuary, which has been damaged, and the movement of railway cars and automobiles is considerably complicated now. The motor road via the village of Palanca, Moldova, is an alternative route to reach the Danube ports," the association said.

The road to Palanca has not been used previously for transporting commercial cargo, and therefore, its throughput capacity is significantly limited, it said.

Considering the abovementioned and the current situation in Ukraine, the association asked the government to set up a green corridor for exporting grain via Danube ports, including through Palanca.

The Ukrainian Grain Association is an organization of major grain producers, processors, and exporters, account for about 90% of Ukrainian grain exports.