World food prices could go up by 15% due to Russian blockade of “grain deal”
The UN-brokered grain deal is in a critical state because of Russia’s actions, Yurii Vaskov, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Infrastructure responsible for seaports and maritime, told The Guardian.
According to the report, representatives from Russia, Turkey, and the UN inspect ships on their way to and from Ukrainian ports as part of the deal signed last July. A joint commission agrees on the names of ships to be examined.
On Apr. 11, 2023, however, no inspections happened, said Vaskov. He said the Ukrainian side submitted the names of three bulk grain carriers, as per the treaty agreement. The Russians, however, crossed out the names and submitted other inbound vessels from the current queue of 50. As a result, no ships were allowed to continue on their journey, Vaskov said, in what amounts to a de facto blockade by Moscow.
“Today we have a critical situation. The Russians have violated the conditions of the Black Sea grain initiative. They decided to unilaterally change the plans of Ukrainian ports. It’s unacceptable,” Vaskov said. If the standoff continues, global food prices are likely to go up by 15%, Vaskov noted.
