Iran Press/ Europe: Three more ships carrying thousands of tons of corn left Ukrainian ports Friday and traveled mined waters toward inspection of their delayed cargo, a sign that an international deal to export grain held up since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But major hurdles lie ahead in getting food to the countries that need it most.
The ships bound for Ireland, the United Kingdom and Turkey followed the first grain shipment to pass through the Black Sea since the start of the war. The passage of that vessel heading for Lebanon earlier this week was the first under the breakthrough deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations with Russia and Ukraine, The Associated Press reported.
The first vessels to leave are among more than a dozen bulk carriers and cargo ships loaded months ago but stuck in ports since the start of the conflict in late February. While the resumed shipments have raised hopes of easing a global food crisis, much of the backed-up cargo is for animal feed, not for people to eat, experts say.
The Black Sea region is dubbed the world’s breadbasket, with Ukraine and Russia key global suppliers of wheat, corn, barley and sunflower oil that millions of impoverished people in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia rely on for survival.
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