Miller Magazine Issue: 153 September 2022

80 INTERVIEW MILLER / SEPTEMBER 2022 “Renewed export of Ukrainian grain gives hope for those many people worldwide who need high-quality and affordable Ukrainian grain to feed them as well as helps UN’s World Food program to help the poorest countries to tackle with hunger. It also gives Ukrainian farmers hope for the future that they will sell their crop, will receive income enough to cover the costs and to carry out a new sowing campaign starting in weeks.” Renewed export of Ukrainian grain helps in easing prices and reducing world hunger Mykola Gorbachov President of Ukrainian Grain Association Russia and Ukraine signed separate accords with the UN and Turkey on 22nd July to reopen Ukraine's Black Sea ports to grain exports, in an effort to ease an international food crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The deal specifically allows for signifi- cant volumes of commercial food exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny. The agreement, brokered by Turkey and the United Na- tions, has been widely praised. In addition to stabilizing glob- al food prices, the agreement could help to alleviate rising food insecurity and global hunger concerns. Much of the grain imported by developing countries comes from Ukraine, but since the invasion, the country’s Black Sea ports have been blockaded by Russia. Ukraine is among the world’s leading grain exporters, supplying more than 45 million tonnes annu- ally to the global market. The Russian invasion has sparked record food and fuel prices, as well as supply chain issues, with mountains of grain stuck in silos. How has the deal affected grain markets? How is the grain ex- port pace via Black Sea ports? What is the grain export prospect for Ukraine in the coming months? How the war has affected Ukrainian grain production? In an exclusive interview to Miller Magazine, Mykola Gor- bachov, President of the Ukrainian Grain Association, answered these important questions. Russia, Ukraine, the UN, and Turkey signed a deal aimed at the resumption of grain exports from Ukraine. Many hope the agreement will result in increased exports of grain and improved food security for hundreds of millions. Do you agree with these hopes for food security? How has the deal affected grain markets? Russian aggressive and brutal war against Ukraine as well as total blockade of Ukrainian ports drastically disrupted Ukrainian grain exports. Ukraine is a big player in the world grain market. Last season, Ukraine produced more than 106 mmt of grains and oilseeds and would have to export about