France exploring possibility of exporting Ukrainian grain by land

The French Ministry of Agriculture is considering the possibility of exporting grain from Ukraine to Europe via land routes through Romania and Poland after Russia announced its withdrawal from the grain deal, French Minister of Agriculture Marc Fesneau said in an interview with RMC radio, Report informs.

"Within the EU, I often communicate with colleagues, especially with my German colleague. We are trying to find out if this route can no longer pass through the Black Sea, then whether it can pass by land. In particular, through Romania and Poland, so that those who need grain can get it at a reasonable price," he said.

New options for exporting grain are being considered after Russia announced it was withdrawing from the safe corridor agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain by sea after the Russian invasion.

Russia's rejection of the deal is likely to hurt supplies to import-dependent countries, exacerbating the global food crisis and pushing up prices. The export of hundreds of thousands of tons of wheat, booked for delivery to Africa and the Middle East, is under threat because of this, and the export of Ukrainian corn to Europe will also decrease.

Commenting on Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal agreed upon through the mediation of the UN, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said that this would aggravate the global food crisis.