Thanks to the functioning of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, as of the beginning of May, 123 ships with 3.3 mln tonnes of Ukrainian agricultural products were exported to African countries. Such data were declared by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine during a working meeting with the head of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, the ministry's press service reported.
"This, in particular, made it possible to stabilize the food situation in a number of African countries," he emphasized.
D. Kuleba also noted that within the framework of the humanitarian program "Grain from Ukraine" from December 2022 to March 2023, the Ukrainian government sent 6 ships with 170 thsd tonnes of wheat to Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen.
"Ethiopia received 90 thsd tonnes, Kenya – 25 thsd tonnes, Somalia – 25 thsd tonnes, Yemen – 30 thsd tonnes. In the near future, it is planned to send ships with agricultural products to other countries that need help," said the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
In addition, the minister called on the African Union to demand from Russia to stop obstructing the work of the grain corridor in the Black Sea and eventually end the blockade of Ukrainian ports.
"Russia should not use food as a weapon. Unhindered export of Ukrainian grains will help African countries to get the agricultural products they need. We call on the African Union to clearly declare to Russia the inadmissibility of its destructive policy," concluded D. Kuleba.
