Black Sea Grain Initiative

The Black Sea Grain Initiative (or the Initiative on the Safe Transportation of Grain and Foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports commonly called the grain deal in the media) was an agreement between Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations (UN). It took place during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The February 2022 invasion led to a complete halt of maritime grain shipments from Ukraine, previously a major exporter via the Black Sea. Additionally, Russia temporarily halted its grain exports, further exacerbating the situation. This resulted in a rise in world food prices, the threat of famine in lower-income countries, and accusations that Russia was weaponizing food supplies. To address the issue, discussions began in April, hosted by Turkey (which controls the maritime routes from the Black Sea) and supported by the UN. The resulting agreement was signed in Istanbul on 22 July, valid for a period of 120 days. The July agreement created procedures to safely export grain from certain ports to attempt to address a worldwide food crisis. A joint coordination and inspection center was set up in Turkey, with the UN serving as secretariat.

The original agreement was set to expire on 19 November 2022. Russia suspended its participation in the agreement for several days due to a drone attack on Russian naval ships elsewhere in the Black Sea, but rejoined following mediation. On 17 November 2022, the UN and Ukraine announced that the agreement had been extended for a further 120 days. In March 2023, Turkey and the UN announced that they had secured a second extension for at least another 60 days. In May 2023, the deal was once again extended for 60 days, to expire on 18 July. By mid-July 2023, more than 1000 shipments had successfully left Ukrainian ports, carrying nearly 33 million tonnes of grain and other food products to 45 countries. In summer 2023, Russia repeatedly claimed it would withdraw from the deal in July 2023 unless its demands were met. By 17 July 2023, no new agreement to renew the deal had been reached, and the extended original agreement expired.