• Russia has suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, citing an attack on ships in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol in the Crimean peninsula. 

• Russia said it was “unacceptable” for shipping to use the safety corridor established by the grain initiative, accusing Ukraine of using it to “conduct operations” against Russia, which Ukraine has categorically denied.

• The UN chief continues to engage in intense contacts aiming at the end of the Russian suspension of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

• Russia has not ruled out re-engaging with the deal.

• India has said the suspension of the Initiative is expected to further exacerbate food security, fuel and fertiliser supply challenges faced by the world, particularly the global South.

• Ukraine and Russia account for roughly 30 per cent of the world’s exported wheat and barley, one fifth of its maize, and over half of its sunflower oil. Russia is also the world’s largest exporter of fertilizers, accounting for 15 per cent of global exports. 

What is Black Sea Grain Initiative?

• Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, exports of grain from Ukraine, as well as food and fertilizers from Russia, have been significantly hit. The disruption in supplies pushed soaring prices even higher and contributed to a global food crisis.

• Ukraine, one of the world’s largest grain exporters, normally supplies around 45 million tonnes of grain to the global market every year. Following Russia’s invasion of the country, in late February 2022, mountains of grains built up in silos, with ships unable to secure safe passage to and from Ukrainian ports, and land routes unable to compensate.

• Combined with increases in the cost of energy, developing countries were pushed to the brink of debt default and increasing numbers of people found themselves on the brink of famine.

• The Black Sea Grain Initiative was launched by the Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations on July 22 to enable the resumption of exports from Ukraine of grain, other foodstuffs, and fertilizer, including ammonia, through a safe maritime humanitarian corridor from three key Ukrainian ports — Chornomorsk, Odesa and Pivdennyi (Yuzhny) — in the Black Sea to the rest of the world. 

• The purpose of the Initiative is to contribute to the prevention of global hunger, to reduce and address global food insecurity, and to ensure the safety of merchant ships delivering grain and foodstuffs.

• The Initiative is based on the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code).

• To implement the deal, a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) was established in Istanbul, comprising senior representatives from the Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Nations.

• According to procedures issued by the JCC, vessels wishing to participate in the Initiative will undergo inspection off Istanbul to ensure they are empty of cargo, then sail through the maritime humanitarian corridor to Ukrainian ports to load. The corridor is established by the JCC and monitored 24x7 to ensure the safe passage of vessels. Vessels on the return journey will also be inspected at the inspection area off Istanbul.

• Shipments monitored by the Initiative began leaving from August 1. By the end of the month, over 100 ships, laden with more than one million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs, had left Ukraine. By mid-September the JCC reported that some three million tonnes had left Ukraine, signalling positive progress. It is hoped that, eventually, up to five million tonnes will be exported monthly.

• There are strong signs that the Initiative is succeeding in one of its key aims, getting food prices down. On September 2, the FAO announced that world food prices dipped for the fifth month in a row. 

• The current Initiative may extend beyond its initial 120 days after the signing date of  July 22, if parties so choose.

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