PARIS - Ukraine’s harvest of grains and oilseeds will see further declines in 2023 as Russia’s invasion drags on, an industry official warned on Thursday, putting further pressure on global prices for essential foodstuffs.

Planting acreage will again shrink, and the total harvest is forecast at 53 million tonnes for 2023 after 65 million tonnes in 2022, said Mr Nikolay Gorbachov, president of the Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA).

Ukraine’s farmers had produced a record 106 million tonnes in 2021, making it the world’s fourth-largest exporter of corn and on track to be the third-largest exporter of wheat before Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022.

“We are at war. We are still producing grain, but the harvest will be down,” Mr Gorbachov told a Paris conference organised by Argus Media.

The fighting has resulted in fuel shortages and the destruction of agriculture equipment and storage facilities, and a one-fourth reduction in planting acreage, according to the UGA.

Russian forces had also blocked grain exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, sparking a surge in prices that has especially hurt developing countries.

A deal reached last July to open a Black Sea export corridor for grain shipments has allowed 20 million tonnes of grain to leave Ukraine, but Mr Gorbachov accused Russian inspectors of obstruction.

“They are checking even ballast water,” he said.

Mr Gorbachov also warned that export levels were unlikely to reach levels that could ease global market prices.

“For national food security, that will be fine. But for exports? What if Ukraine cannot export those 40 or 50 million tonnes? Prices will rise,” he said. “Europe can afford it, but not developing countries.” AFP