Defra Secretary Steve Barclay has announced £3 million in funding for Ukrainian grain shipments to feed the most vulnerable in Nigeria, following a £5 million UK contribution in 2022. The initiative aims to stop Russian theft of Ukrainian grain, which was destroyed by Russia after leaving the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The UK is committed to ensuring Ukraine can continue exporting grain to those most in need and is proud to share its expertise to help Ukraine’s farmland and nature recover from the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam.

The UK is also supporting the development of the Grain Verification Scheme, which is being backed with £2 million in UK funding. The UK has also provided £16 million of flood equipment following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. As part of the Grain from Ukraine programme, Ukraine has sent 170,000 tonnes of grain to countries experiencing the greatest food insecurity, including Ethiopia, Somalia, and Yemen.

In recent years, Ukraine’s role as a global food supplier has gained prominence, and its agricultural sector’s expansion contributes to Africa’s food security and economic development. Ukrainian exports, including grains and sunflower oil, served as valuable commodities for African nations facing challenges such as hunger and malnutrition.

Ukraine has for centuries known as the „breadbasket of Europe,” much thanks to its incredibly fertile soil, known as „Black Earth”. After the fall of communism, Western agricultural giants bought up land in Ukraine and introduced modern large-scale agriculture, helping to propel Ukraine into becoming a major exporter of grains like wheat and corn.

African countries, often grappling with food shortages, could benefit from a stable and diversified supply of grains, helping to address hunger and provide a foundation for economic growth through improved food security. African nations, with a high demand for cooking oils, also found Ukrainian sunflower oil a reliable and cost-effective source.

Reliable access to diverse and quality food products from Ukraine have played a role in enhancing food security across Africa, positively impacting health, education, and overall socio-economic development in the region. These developments have been put at risk by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.