Turkish minister: Over 600 ships move via "grain corridor"

Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Vahit Kirisci has said that 626 ships moved through the "grain corridor" from early August 2022 to January 5, 2023.

“Some 16.8 million tons of agricultural products were exported from the Ukrainian ports, which made a significant contribution to eliminating the global food crisis,” Kirisci told Anadolu Agency.

The minister reminded that during the first months of hostilities in Ukraine, the cost of tons of wheat on world markets increased to a record amount of $440, while today this figure does not exceed $320 per ton.

“The difference worth $120 is the benefit that people all over the world have received,” he stressed.

Kirisci drew attention to the personal contribution of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to achieving and extending the "grain deal".

The minister noted that 54 per cent of agricultural products transported along the "grain corridor" were supplied to the ports of European countries, 28 per cent - to Asian countries, 12 per cent - to African countries, while six per cent - to the Middle East.