Second EU country offers to export Ukrainian grain

Ukrainian grain can be delivered to world markets via Hungary, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday.

“We offered to facilitate the passage of food deliveries through Hungarian territory destined for different parts of the world from Ukraine, mainly to North Africa or the Middle East‘ said Szijjarto, as quoted by Reuters.

The official did not specify the amount of grain Ukraine could export through Hungary. However, he found that two logistical hubs on its eastern border could be used.

“So if any kind of grain or other product were to be exported from Ukraine to the Middle East or North Africa via Hungary, it could happen quickly. Rail access to the ports in south-eastern Europe is fast from Hungary‘ said Szijjarto.

Hungary’s offer follows a number of similar proposals by EU member states. The so-called “corridors of solidarity‘ include the German plan to transport Ukrainian grain via Poland via the German rail network.

Ukraine’s traditional export routes across the Black Sea have been disrupted due to the ongoing conflict in the country. Western nations have blamed Russia for blocking those exports, but Moscow says Ukraine’s military is to blame for mining its remaining ports in Odessa.

According to UN estimates, around 22 to 25 million tons of grain are currently tied up in the ports of Ukraine. Falling exports from major agricultural producers Ukraine and Russia have pushed up the prices of many food products around the world and fueled fears of a global food crisis.