Export of ukrainian grain: problems and mechanisms of ensuring global food security

Abstract

In a world where food security is a critical concern, the impact of geopolitical conflicts on global food supplies cannot be understated. One of the consequences of the war in Ukraine is the threat of a global food crisis due to the destruction and blockade of Ukraine’s export infrastructure and logistics, endangering the delicate balance of food production and distribution worldwide. Despite the military actions being confined within Ukraine’s territory, their impact has spread far beyond the region. Therefore, this article delves into these multifaceted implications, analyzing not just the disruptions in Ukraine’s agricultural sector and its ripple effect on international trade but also the humanitarian, economical, and political dimensions that underscore these disruptions. It explores how the war conflict disrupts Ukraine’s agricultural sector and international trade, affecting millions of people, depending on Ukrainian grain supplies. The article highlights the significance of Ukraine as a major global food supplier, particularly in the production of wheat, maize, sunflower oil and other commodities. It also examines the mechanisms put in place to ensure Ukraine’s food exports, including the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the challenges, faced in reopening Ukrainian ports for export. It is shown that despite Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the export of Ukrainian agricultural products through the Black Sea continues. It is substantiated that strengthening the protection of the port infrastructure against missile attacks is also one of the strategic priorities of preserving the export potential of Ukraine. And this is one of the key issues to be discussed at the international peace summit in Switzerland. The strategic initiatives of Ukraine that contribute to the sustainability of food production systems and, together with diplomatic efforts, can contribute to the formation of a safer global food future are analyzed. The main directions of state regulation and support of the export potential, in particular of the agrarian sector of the economy, by simplifying customs procedures, financial and economic support of producers of grain products are outlined. The authors identified future challenges to global food security and their impact on the global architecture of world security.