Global food security: Russia blocks and destroys food exports routes in Ukraine, EU establishes Solidarity Lanes
Under normal circumstances, 75% of Ukraine's grain production is exported, generating around 20% of national annual export revenues. Before the war, Ukrainian Black Sea ports accounted for 90% of its export of grain and oilseeds. Around one third of the exports is destined to Europe, China and Africa, respectively.
Today, food is not getting in or out of Ukraine. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its blockade of Ukrainian ports, Ukrainian grain and other agricultural goods can no longer reach their destinations. With traditional transport routes blocked or destroyed by Russia, more than 20M tonnes of grain are currently stuck in Ukraine. The situation is threatening global food security and there is an urgent need to establish alternative logistics routes using all relevant transport modes.
That is why that on 12/05 the European Commission presented a set of actions to help Ukraine export its agricultural produce. The European Commission is establishing 'Solidarity Lanes' to ensure global food security and help Ukraine export agricultural products and import the goods it needs, from humanitarian aid to animal feed and fertilisers.
Measures include:
→ establishing alternative routes
→ increasing transport capacity
→ accelerating procedures at border crossings.
In the medium and long-term the Commission will work to better connect and integrate Ukraine’s infrastructure with that of the EU.
More information:
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_3002