Market News & Headlines >> Ukraine's Black Sea Grain Exports Gradually Mount

A total of 33 cargo ships carrying more than 719,000 metric tons of foodstuffs have left Ukraine under a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to unblock Ukrainian sea ports, Ukraine’s agriculture ministry said on Tuesday.

The Joint Coordination Centre in Turkey, which monitors implementation of the agreement, put the total amount of grain and foodstuffs exported since the deal was reached at 721,449 tons. 

Three Black Sea ports, Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, were unblocked under the deal signed on July 22 by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN.

In addition to the vessels that have already left Ukraine, the agriculture ministry said another 18 were loading or awaiting permission to leave Ukrainian ports as of Tuesday. The ministry said total Ukrainian grain exports could reach 4 million metric tons in August, compared with 3 million tons in July.