Black Sea Grain Initiative [UPSC Notes]

The Black Sea Grain Initiative is a topic that is in the news frequently, especially in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war. Hence, it forms an important part of the International Relations segment of the IAS Exam.

Black Sea Grain Initiative Latest News

In April 2023, the Group of Seven (G7) urged for the extension, complete implementation, and expansion of Ukraine’s Black Sea grain deal.

At the end of October 2022, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative following Ukraine’s alleged drone attack against Russia’s Black Sea fleet ships moored off the coast of occupied Crimea. But, in November 2022, Russia re-joined the initiative as it said it has received sufficient guarantees.

What is the Black Sea Grain Initiative?

The Black Sea Grain Initiative is a grain export deal signed separately by Ukraine and Russia.

• The deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey was signed in Istanbul, Turkey in July 2022.
• The deal provides for a safe humanitarian corridor for the export of Ukrainian grains through the Black Sea, to address the issue of rising food prices due to geopolitical conflict faced by Ukraine- the “breadbasket of Europe”.
• The deal was initially for a period of 120 days, with an option to extend or terminate thereafter in November 2022.
• Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, exports of grain from Ukraine, as well as food and fertilisers from Russia, have been significantly hit. The disruption in supplies pushed soaring prices even higher and contributed to a global food crisis.
• The Black Sea Grain Initiative was set up to reintroduce vital food and fertiliser exports from Ukraine to the rest of the world.
• This initiative allows for commercial food exports from three Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odessa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.
• The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres called this unprecedented agreement a “beacon of hope” amidst the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

Read more on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the linked article.

Black Sea Grain Initiative Features

A Joint Coordination Centre was established under the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul on 27 July 2022. It was established to monitor the implementation of the deal. It comprises senior representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations. Its role is to enable the safe transportation by merchant ships of grain and other foodstuffs and fertilisers from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea to the rest of the world. 

• Ukrainian vessels guide the cargo ships into international waters of the Black Sea, avoiding mined areas. The vessels then proceed towards the Bosphorus Strait along an agreed corridor.
• Ships heading to and from the Ukrainian ports are inspected by teams organised by the Joint Coordination Centre. 
• All commercial ships are required to register directly with the JCC. The ships transit as per a schedule accorded by the JCC post-inspection. 
• No military ships or unmanned aerial vehicles can approach the corridor closer than a pre-decided distance agreed upon by the JCC.

Black Sea

Image source: www.britannica.com

• The Black Sea is also known as the Euxine Sea.
• A marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, it is located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
• It is bordered by six countries – Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. 
• The Strait of Kerch connects it with the Sea of Azov.

Black Sea Grain Initiative Significance

Ukraine is among the largest exporters of wheat, maize, rapeseed, sunflower seeds and sunflower oil globally. Its access to the deep sea ports in the Black Sea enables it to directly approach Russia, Europe and grain importers from the Middle East and North Africa. Russia’s attack on Ukraine has disturbed this route. Earlier, this route used to ship 75% of its agricultural exports.

• The Black Sea Grain Initiative endeavours to tackle the rising food prices emanating from supply chain disruptions because of Russia’s action on Ukraine. 
• As per the UN office of Humanitarian Affairs, approximately 9.8 million tonnes of grains have been shipped since the initiative commenced.
• The supply chain situation in the markets has eased which resulted in a drop in prices.
• The Black Sea Grain Initiative has been credited for having made a huge difference in the global cost of living.
• The initiative, however, cannot address global hunger, it can only avert the chances of the global food crisis spiralling further.

Has the deal alleviated the food crisis and brought food prices down?

• The deal has resulted in the partial recovery in shipment from Ukraine, but it is still below the pre-invasion levels and the complete recovery might take more time.
• Though the food crisis has been alleviated, it is still not resolved completely.
• Increased export of agricultural commodities (after the deal) from Ukraine has helped in bringing the prices down for some products.
• But the weak local currencies and higher energy prices have raised the cost of transportation, packing, etc. and thus not allowing the prices to come down.

Russia’s present stand on the deal:

• Russia stated that the UN-mediated Black Sea grain agreement would not be extended past May 18th unless the West eliminated several impediments to the exportation of Russian grain and fertiliser.

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