Germany’s agriculture minister met his counterpart Mykola Solskyi in Kyiv on Friday in a present of solidarity with Ukraine amid the continuing warfare.
Cem Özdemir mentioned that, in addition to demonstrating assist to Kyiv, his ministry was exploring methods for grain and oilseed might be exported from the nation by routes aside from the Black Sea, which is beneath a de facto blockade by Russia.
Harvest due inside weeks
Throughout a go to to an agricultural school within the city of Nemishayev, the Inexperienced Celebration politician informed DW there was just one final resolution, which was an finish to the warfare.
“That is why we’ve to assist Ukraine. My ministry is doing this by supplying meals and supporting Ukrainian agriculture — however Ukraine after all additionally want the army gear to defend itself and to win.”
“Ukraine wants to have the ability to rapidly resume its long-held function as an important provider of grain to the worldwide market.”
Ukraine’s subsequent grain harvest is due inside weeks, however with no imminent signal of Russia relenting within the warfare it has unleashed, exports might be compromised and shortages in import-dependent nations in Africa and the Center East might worsen.
Ukraine is the world’s fifth largest wheat exporter, with a world market share of 10% in recent times.
Growth of various routes
The German minister mentioned talks had been aimed toward discovering different routes for agricultural exports within the face of blocked ports. Özdemir mentioned he shared Ukraine’s skepticism that Russia can be prepared to permit corridors throughout the Black Sea.
Acknowledging the necessary function performed by Ukraine in international meals safety, Özdemir mentioned there have been options, “however they’re second or third finest.”
“Various routes have develop into surprisingly effectively established, however they’re after all far more costly than shipments throughout the Black Sea. Transport on the Danube, on vehicles, or on rail are rising, and we wish to enhance them additional nonetheless with the assistance of the European Union. However the costs are larger, and the export routes longer.”
The agriculture minister’s go to got here as Germany faces contemporary criticism over a scarcity of readability about when weapons to assist in its combat in opposition to Russia shall be delivered.
Responding to criticism, Özdemir mentioned: “From what I am informed, Germany is doing what it could actually, so I assume that it’s, and I might very a lot assist that.”
The go to additionally got here on the identical day as a visit by German Well being Minister Karl Lauterbach to the western metropolis of Lviv.
Grain manufacturing is considered one of Ukraine’s predominant industries, with exports totaling $12.2 billion (€11.6 billion) in 2021 and accounting for almost a fifth of the nation’s exports.
Earlier than the warfare, Ukraine exported 98% of its cereals and oilseed by way of the Black Sea, at a fee of as much as six million metric tons per thirty days.
DW’s Jan-Philipp Scholz contributed reporting from Kyiv.
Edited by: Rebecca Staudenmaier