Russia's agriculture minister said on Friday that Moscow had begun free shipments of grain totalling up to 200,000 tonnes to six African countries, as promised by President Vladimir Putin in July.
In a statement posted on Telegram, Dmitry Patrushev said ships headed for Burkina Faso and Somalia had already left Russian ports, and additional shipments to Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Mali and the Central African Republic would soon follow.
Putin had promised to deliver free grain to the six countries at a summit with African leaders in July, soon after Moscow withdrew from a deal that had allowed Ukraine to ship grain from its Black Sea ports despite the war with Russia.
The deal, known as the Black Sea grain initiative, had helped lower prices on the global market, but Putin argued it was failing to get supplies to the countries in most urgent need.
Last year, Russia exported about 60-million tonnes of grain, according to Putin. UN chief Antonio Guterres called the promises of free grain “a handful of donations”.
Since quitting the arrangement, Russia has repeatedly bombed Ukrainian ports and grain storage facilities, and Kyiv says hundreds of thousands of tonnes of cereals have been destroyed.
Ukraine said on Friday, however, that it had managed to ship 4.4-million tonnes of cargo, including 3.2-million tonnes of grain, via a new shipping corridor it established in August.
Reuters
Free grain shipment for Burkina Faso and Somalia sails from Russia
Image: 123RF/costasz
Russia's agriculture minister said on Friday that Moscow had begun free shipments of grain totalling up to 200,000 tonnes to six African countries, as promised by President Vladimir Putin in July.
In a statement posted on Telegram, Dmitry Patrushev said ships headed for Burkina Faso and Somalia had already left Russian ports, and additional shipments to Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Mali and the Central African Republic would soon follow.
Putin had promised to deliver free grain to the six countries at a summit with African leaders in July, soon after Moscow withdrew from a deal that had allowed Ukraine to ship grain from its Black Sea ports despite the war with Russia.
The deal, known as the Black Sea grain initiative, had helped lower prices on the global market, but Putin argued it was failing to get supplies to the countries in most urgent need.
Last year, Russia exported about 60-million tonnes of grain, according to Putin. UN chief Antonio Guterres called the promises of free grain “a handful of donations”.
Since quitting the arrangement, Russia has repeatedly bombed Ukrainian ports and grain storage facilities, and Kyiv says hundreds of thousands of tonnes of cereals have been destroyed.
Ukraine said on Friday, however, that it had managed to ship 4.4-million tonnes of cargo, including 3.2-million tonnes of grain, via a new shipping corridor it established in August.
Reuters
READ MORE:
Food insecurity in Africa should be overcome in 5 years — AfDB head
‘Farmers still waiting for Brics benefits’
Gifts from Putin: A helicopter for Mnangagwa and generous grain donation to African countries
South Africa's stance on the conflicts involving Russia and Israel explained
Coal from Russian-annexed Ukraine sold in Nato member Turkey — data, sources
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Related articles
Most read
Latest Videos