How is Ukraine exporting its grain now the Black Sea deal is over?

The "grain deal" was an agreement reached in July 2022 between Russia and Ukraine, facilitated by Turkey and the UN, to allow the export of Ukrainian grain via a corridor in the Black Sea. This deal was crucial as Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 had led to a blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports, trapping 20 million tonnes of grain and causing a spike in global food prices. Under the deal, almost 33 million tonnes of grain were exported from Ukraine, significantly reducing world food prices.

The grain was predominantly shipped to developing and developed countries, with China, Spain, Turkey, and Italy being major recipients. Additionally, the World Food Programme (WFP) received 725,000 tonnes of grain from Ukraine for humanitarian aid to countries like Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Yemen.

The deal expired on July 17, following which Russia declared all cargo ships bound for Ukraine in the Black Sea as potential military targets, creating a significant risk for grain exports. Turkey has attempted to persuade Russia to rejoin the deal, but Russia demands the easing of sanctions on its exports.

Since the deal's expiration, Ukraine has found alternative routes to export grain. This includes using smaller ships and a route through Romanian and Bulgarian territorial waters in the Black Sea, as well as exporting from the Danube river ports of Reni and Izmail. These routes, however, are under threat from Russian attacks. Additionally, Ukraine has increased grain exports to Europe by road and rail, but this method is more costly and less efficient due to different railway gauges in the EU and Ukraine.