Russia ends Grain deal and tells African Allies ‘we will give you grain for free’

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

Russia, July 31, 2023 – After nearly a year of collaboration with Ukraine to allow valuable grain to be shipped peacefully, Russia has pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Deal.

Struck on July 22, 2022 when the world supply of grain was dangerously low, the deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, made tons of grain available to desperate countries who were struggling with food insecurity, helping to level prices and provide more food.

The announcement came from the Kremlin via Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.  Russian State Media TASS, reports that the Kremlin feels that the part of the deal to do with Russia has gone unfulfilled and as such they will allow the deal to expire.

“As soon as the Russian part [of the deal] is fulfilled, the Russian side will immediately return to the implementation of this deal,” Peskov is quoted as saying.

But now, there is pressure from nations whom Russia considers allies.  Media reports from an African Summit being hosted by Vladimir Putin, the Russian president reveal that he is being urged to renew the deal.

There is resistance though, as Putin has announced Russia can provide free grain to these countries over the next four months adding that the West is responsible for this rising cost of food.

The three month deal had been renewed multiple times over the last year, allowing a steady supply of the super crops from two of the world’s largest producers.  Together Russia and Ukraine are responsible for 27 percent of grain exports globally.

Now, that could come to a standstill for many, if not all countries dependent upon the Black Sea port in the Ukraine, which has since the deal was abandoned, been bombed by Russia.

In a Twitter post Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General who was essential in brokering the deal, maintained the effects of the termination would be dire.

“I deeply regret Russia’s decision to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, which has been a lifeline for global food security in a troubled world.  Hundreds of millions facing hunger & consumers confronting a global cost-of-living crisis will pay the price,” he said.

The Turks and Caicos will be directly impacted by any price fluctuations on Grain in the US as the country is a major export partner for the Caribbean country.  The US produces its own grain rather than importing but when the global price goes up so do prices in the United States.

Within hours of the announcement of the deal, wheat prices shot up.

The Wall Street Journal says wheat by the bushel, at the time of the deal collapsing, had risen 3.4 percent to $6.84 in Chicago.

In addition, poor weather conditions have been impacting prices, which were initially offset by a surplus in product.

With no relenting on either side of this bitter battle, prices could rise significantly.