The column by Mr. Lito Gagni published in BusinessMirror on September 26 contains a series of quotes from the Russian leadership defending their ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and blaming others (“the West”) for its catastrophic consequences. In that regard, the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines would like to set up the record straight on some of the many inaccuracies, manipulation of facts and blatant disinformation that appear in the text:
1. Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and deliberate actions—destruction of Ukraine’s agricultural production areas, farming and harvesting equipment, looting and plundering, blocking the trade routes, and laying mines in Black Sea ports, all well-documented—are provoking a global food crisis. Russia promised to provide safe sea corridors to grain shipments via Ukrainian ports but broke the agreement less than 24 hours after signing it by launching an air attack on the port of Odesa; it is blocking hundreds of ships filled with wheat in the Black Sea. We would not have the food crisis had Russia not launched its full-scale aggression against Ukraine.
2. EU sanctions are directed against the Russian government, the financial sector and the economic elites, targeting the Kremlin’s ability to finance the military aggression. None of the EU sanctions (brought about by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine) targets the trade in agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilizer, between third countries and Russia. If third countries wish to buy these products from Russia, no EU sanctions prohibit this.
3. The European Union is committed to avoiding any measures that might contribute to food insecurity around the globe, and is taking quick action to respond to the current food crisis in four fronts—stepping up emergency relief, boosting local food production systems, keeping the markets open and getting Ukrainian grain out of the country via alternative transportation routes, and working with partners to promote a multilateral response to the current situation.
4. The UN deal to unblock some of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports is making a significant difference and, together with the EU Solidarity Lanes, led to price drop on the global markets. The UN grain deal allowed the export of 1.7 metric tons of grains and other agricultural products from Ukraine in August. These grains were exported to Africa, Asia and Europe. The most common destinations have been: Turkey, the Republic of Korea, Iran, Egypt and Sudan; two World Food Programme-charted vessels went to Djibouti and Yemen. The EU Solidarity Lanes provide river, rail and land transport via EU—not to bring them to the EU, but to channel them via the EU to third countries. The grain export via Solidarity lanes has reached some 10 million tons—nonetheless, still significantly lower than before the Russian full-scale war against Ukraine.
5. The EU has decreased its imports of grain from Ukraine into the EU in 2022 in comparison to 2021. Wheat imported from Ukraine is either re-exported or, if consumed internally, free space for additional exports of EU wheat to other third countries. In fact, the EU is an exporting powerhouse of cereals, and in particular of wheat. The EU has exported more grain in 2022 than in 2021. Between March and June 2022, the EU exported 14.2 million tons of cereals to third countries which is +1.3 million tons or + 10 percent compared to the same period of 2021. Despite a dry summer, the EU grain net exports are still expected to be higher than past trends, with around 8 million additional tons of wheat that could be exported in 2022-2023 compared to the year before. All this gives increased supply for third countries and alleviates the pressure on prices on the global markets. On the contrary, the Russian decision to ban Russian grain exports is another significant factor contributing to the scarcity and the rise of food prices globally.
6. Lastly, the EU is a leading humanitarian and development donor in food security and is spearheading international efforts with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The EU intends to mobilize over €7.7 billion until 2024 as immediate humanitarian food and nutrition assistance and medium-term investments in food security and sustainable food systems. To address short-term needs, the EU is mobilising €620 million in immediate humanitarian support in 2022 for its most vulnerable partners to ensure access to food and nutrition. The EU will help Ukraine to continue planting and growing cereals and oilseeds, and to bring them to global markets.