Okonjo-Iweala Expresses Worry Over Ukraine Grain Deal Collapse

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says poor countries will be heavily affected by the collapse of the Russia-Ukraine grain deal.

In a tweet on Monday, the former Minister of Finance expressed disappointment, saying the stoppage of the deal would be felt most severely by poor countries.

“Deeply disappointed at the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the interruption of the grain trade from Ukraine. I share UN SG at Antonio Guterres’ regret and concern,” she tweeted.

“Black Sea trade in food, feed & fertilizer is critical to the stability of global food prices. Sad to say that poor people & poor countries are hardest hit. Let’s keep hope alive on renewal.”

Deeply disappointed at the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative & the interruption of the grain trade from Ukraine. I share UN SG @antonioguterres’ regret & concern. Black Sea trade in food, feed & fertilizer is critical to the stability of global food prices. Sad to say…

— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) July 17, 2023

Earlier, Russia said it would no longer cooperate with a deal that allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine’s grain.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.

The initiative was established in July 2022 to abate a global food crisis after Russia invaded Ukraine — a neighboring country and fellow key grain exporter.

The deal allowed for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.