The Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi paid a working visit to Vilnius at the invitation of the Minister of Agriculture of Lithuania Kęstutis Navickas. Here he held a joint press conference with Kęstutis Navickas, met with the EU Commissioner of Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski  and visited Klaipeda State Seaport.

This is informed by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine. The aim of the visit is to discuss the possibilities of exporting grain from Ukraine through the port of Klaipeda.

Mykola Solskyi said that in peacetime Ukraine exported 5 million tons of grain a month. As a result of the blockade of Ukrainian seaports, only 200 000 tons of grain were transported by railway, automobile and the Dniester port in March. For today Ukraine has 20 million tons of grain of the last year's harvest, which is extra, it is not needed for domestic consumption and is intended for export. The Minister stressed that it is about food security of the world and stability for the work of Ukrainian farmers, as if they can not sell their food products, they will not have income to prepare for a new sowing campaign.

“We are currently looking for opportunities to transport grain to Ukraine through Lithuanian and Latvian ports. The potential of the port is beyond doubt. Railways are a concern. In Poland, the rails are narrower than in Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia,” - said Kęstutis Navickas. “A serious problem is the violation of Ukraine’s export route to the Middle East and North Africa. There is a risk that wheat supply disruptions could lead to some difficulties and problems in these regions. However, it is very important to support Ukraine by providing alternative export corridors, for example through Poland, the Baltic Sea ports, Lithuania, the port of Klaipeda - it is very important to continue export,”-  said Janusz Wojciechowski.

During the visit to Klaipeda port Mykola Solsky got acquainted with its technical capabilities and visited the port terminals. “After solving the problem of cargo delivery, Klaipeda port is ready to load part of the grain grown in Ukraine,”- said Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipeda State Seaport. Mykola Solskyi thanked Kęstutis Navickas who became the first Minister of Agriculture to visit Ukraine during the war. He also thanked the Lithuanian Government and all Lithuanians who support Ukraine not only in words but also in deeds.

Reference source: Diia.Business.Export